Miniature Donkeys

Equus asinus domestic miniature 

Miniature donkeys are originally from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia and were first brought over to the United States in 1929. They were originally domesticated for their milk, strength, and compassion. Many of the wild donkeys in the southwestern United States are descendants of escaped or abandoned burros brought by Mexican explorers during the Gold Rush and are not mini donkeys. Unlike many other miniature breeds, miniature donkeys are not bred-down versions of a larger donkey. Miniature donkeys have the typical donkey look to them including, eyes on the side of their heads which allow them to see two fields of vision, larger ears that can move independently and can help with thermoregulation, and large flat teeth that help with grinding up vegetation. They can come in a range of different colors including shades of grey, black, brown, reddish, and white or cream colors as well as be a mix of these colors. Donkeys have earned the reputation of being stubborn due to their observant and cautious behavior and will refuse to do anything that appears threatening. 

Click HERE for a Mini Donkey Activity Sheet!

Current Residents

Lucy, Female – Born in 2014 (estimated and celebrated) 

Lucy came to the Zoo in the spring of 2020 with Ethel from a private ranch. Lucy is the easiest of the donkeys to tell apart due to her dark brown color.  

Ethel, Female- Born in 2014 (estimated and celebrated) 

Ethel is one of our grey dun donkeys who came to the Zoo in the spring of 2020 with Lucy from a private ranch. Ethel surprised the Zoo when she had her daughter Phe as the zoo didn’t know she was pregnant when she arrived. Ethel is a bit smaller than her daughter.

Phe, Female- Born on June 6, 2020 

Phe is the other grey dun donkey who was born here at ZooMontana on June 6, 2020, to her mother Ethel. She was a surprise at the zoo when she was born, and we are so happy to have her. Phe is slightly larger than her mom Ethel and has a small white patch on her face.  

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Perissodactyla
  • Family: Equidae
  • Genus: Equus
  • Species: Equus asinus domestic miniature

Animal Facts

Herbivore: mainly eat good quality hay  

Population Status: currently Not Evaluated   

Habitat: are a domesticated species, and live where people can take care of them 

Activity: diurnal- mainly active during the day 


Our Animals