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Donkey
subspecies of mammal (donkey as a domesticated subspecies) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A donkey or ass (Equus africanus asinus) is a mammal of the Equidae family.[1] The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are a number of other wild asses in different parts of the world.
Quick Facts Equus africanus asinus, Conservation status ...
Equus africanus asinus | |
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Domesticated | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Perissodactyla |
Family: | Equidae |
Genus: | Equus |
Species: | E. africanus |
Subspecies: | E. a. asinus |
Trinomial name | |
Equus africanus asinus |
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The name 'donkey' is correct for the domesticated animal. It is the tame animal that people use for transportation and other work, such as pulling a carriage or plowing a field.
Donkeys can have hybrid children with a common horse. The child of a female horse and a male donkey is called a mule. The child of a female donkey and a male horse is called a hinny. Mules are more common, and have been used for transportation.