Most people who have met or interacted with a donkey know that they are incredibly smart creatures. Some even say that they are as intelligent as a dolphin or a dog. But could it be that donkeys are smarter than dogs? They may not be able to lead the blind or sniff out narcotics as some highly trained dogs can, but with the right training, they can easily be considered equal in intelligence to the…
If you’ve ever driven by a farm or been around donkeys, you’ll have noticed that they sometimes sleep standing up. But how long do donkeys sleep for? Donkeys need about three total hours of sleep per day and thirty minutes of that needs to be REM, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep, so that the donkey can recharge. The three hours of sleep that donkeys need don’t necessarily need to be consecutive, one right after the…
Donkeys are strong animals who have quite a powerful kick when they want to use it. Unprovoked, donkeys are usually peaceful animals, but they will absolutely defend themselves and their herd if they feel the need to. In answer to the question, “Are donkeys dangerous to dogs?” The answer is that yes, they can be. Though donkeys are larger animals, they do still have some predators that they fear. These usually include but are not…
Animals all behave in different ways, and their reactions usually have a meaning or a reason behind them. Biting is no exception. So why do donkeys bite each other on the neck? Donkeys bite each other on the neck to establish dominance and tell the other herd members that they are stronger. This behavior may also just be part of playtime, as donkeys and other equines like to play fight with each other. Understanding the…
Donkeys can be very vocal animals with a lot to say. Their sounds are quite unique and recognizable once you hear them. A donkey’s hee haw or braying noise that we so often hear is one of their best forms of communication, both with each other and with us humans. A donkey hee haw A donkey’s bray: Why do donkeys hee haw? Donkeys hee haw or bray for various reasons depending on the situation the…
If you want to own farm animals, you likely want to own more than one. However, the animals you own must be compatible for their well-being and comfort. With this in mind, can donkeys and goats live together? The answer to this question depends on the personality type of the donkey you have, it varies in each farm case. Some donkeys have an attachment to goats and get along with them well, whereas other donkeys…
Donkeys are not inherently aggressive animals by any means. But like any animal, donkeys can and sometimes do show aggression. Usually, this isn’t aimed at humans, but instead, donkeys will most likely show aggression to predators who mean them harm. But how do donkeys really show aggression? And how can you keep yourself safe from an aggressive donkey? Let’s find out. Donkeys and aggression: How do donkeys show aggression? Donkeys can show aggression in several…
Donkeys are famous for kicking. There’s even an exercise inspired by and named after donkeys kicking. But why do donkeys kick? They are such cute animals, yet they seem almost ferocious when they kick so powerfully. Donkeys are adorable but fierce. There are several reasons why donkeys kick, but it all boils down to self-defense, protection of offspring, defense of territories, and establishing dominance. Kicking can also be in response to pain and even be…
A common misconception about donkeys is that they are stubborn or ‘dumb’, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. People have believed it to be true for ages, but anyone with experience with donkeys will vouch for their intelligence. However, in reality, how smart is a donkey? And why do people think donkeys are dumb? Let’s find out. The truth: how smart is a donkey? If you’ve found yourself asking, “how smart is a…
Have you ever seen a donkey rolling in dry dirt? It looks like they are taking a bath in the dust. But why do donkeys roll in dust? Besides rolling for fun, donkeys have some excellent reasons for rolling in dust. And their reasons change throughout the seasons and even with temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Depending on the weather, donkeys roll in dust or dirt to fluff out their winter coat, help with shedding,…
