In 1785, George Washington was sent a gift of two Spanish donkeys from Charles III, the King of Spain. Charles III learned that Washington wanted to breed mules for work on the Mount Vernon plantation, and promptly sent two prize mules (which were not permitted to leave the country) across the Atlantic Ocean. Sadly, only one of them, Royal Gift, survived the trip.
They have a natural and aggressive dislike of coyotes,
wolves and other canines and will defend
themselves and their companions vigorously. As a herd animal themselves, they remain an integral, grazing part of
the flock and so are always on hand to run down and trample a predator,
or discourage it with a strong and well-aimed kick.
Pop quiz time! What type of animal do you think is hiding under all that hair? A horse? A cow? A donkey?
If you chose the third answer, you’re right! This is the Poitou donkey, an extremely rare breed of donkey thought to have originated in the Roman Empire some time around 545 B.C.
This donkey is known primarily for its distinctive fur, which grows long and twists into dreadlocks because it’s so soft. The Poitou is also larger than other donkey breeds; standard height is between 4 1/2 and 5 feet.
Since Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow, we thought we'd get into the spirit of things by featuring a few of the animals that are native to Mexico! Did you know that all of the animals listed were from Mexico?
Mexican Grey Wolf
The Mexican grey wolf is one of the smallest wolf subspecies, getting no bigger than 4 to 5 feet in length and weighing 60 to 80 pounds (about the size of a German shepherd). Lobos, as they are often called, travel in small packs and hunt for elk, deer and, occasionally, livestock.
Ocelot
Ocelots are hard to see or study because they are only active at night. Their eyes are specially designed with an extra layer on the inside that collects light, letting them see well in the dark. During the day, ocelots stay hidden and sleep in bushes, on tree limbs or hollow tree trunks.
Donkey
Donkeys are domesticated members of the horse family. A male donkey is called a jack, a female is a jennet and a young donkey is a foal. It's a popular misconception that donkeys and mules are the same thing; donkeys are bred with mares to produce mules.
Puma
Depending on the region, pumas are also known as cougars, mountain lions or panthers. This territorial, solitary cat is a stalk-and-ambush predator, feeding on deer, elk, moose, sheep and domesticated cattle and horses.Pumas can live out in the open but prefer areas with dense underbrush and rocky areas.
Jaguar
The jaguar is one of the "big cats", smaller than only the lion and the tiger. Although its coat closely resembles that of a leopard, jaguars are typically larger and have a sturdier build. Jaguars prefer dense rainforests as habitats, and are often found along water. They are one of the few big cats that like to swim.
Coati
Coatis are members of the raccoon family.They have paws and markings similar to raccoons, walk on the soles of their feet and are double jointed like raccoons. Coatis are very smart, have strong limbs and like to dig. They are active during both day and night.
Mules, the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, are purely domestic animals that are primarily bred for labor and show. Their popularity as working animals comes from the opinion of many who claim that they are more capable than similarly-sized horses and more intelligent and good-natured than donkeys. Also commonly referred to as mules are the offspring of male horses and female donkeys, which are called hinnies; however, they are much less common. Almost all mules are infertile and therefore incapable of reproducing.
Photo: Joe Schneid
Most mules weigh between 800 and 1000lbs and can carry 20% of their body weight in cargo. While this does not exceed the carrying capability of a horse, mules usually have greater endurance and require less food than a horse of similar size. The appearances of mules can vary greatly in how horse-like or donkey-like they look. Generally, the mule has the short head, long ears and thin limbs of a donkey, but shares the height and body shape of a horse. Mule coats can come in almost as many colors as horse coats. However, in comparison to a horse the mule will have harder skin and is better adapted to harsh desert environments.
Most consider mules to be more intelligent than either their donkey or horse parents. They are patient and even-tempered, and unlike some domestic animals will not allow a human to put them in harm’s way. Because of their nature they were considered to be superior plow animals before the advent of mechanized farming.
The need for mules dropped sharply in the mid-20th century in industrialized nations. However, they still see wide use in less developed nations as well as in the recreation industry for wilderness treks. Mules have also long been a component to the U.S. Military and are still used by American troops to transport supplies in rough and remote areas.
These extremely resilient animals are as long-lived as they are intelligent, and may reach the age of 50.
For as long as people have been breeding and keeping livestock, protection of the herd has always been an issue. Domesticated animals don’t usually have the instincts to avoid predation and they are often at risk of being killed by coyotes, wolves, big cats and wild dogs while grazing in the open. Since long before the invention of firearms, ranchers and shepherds have used guard dogs to protect their herds. Always vigilant, these dogs keep a watchful eye for unwelcome visitors and will place themselves between the hunter and the herd to protect it.
As effective a guard dogs are, there are some other unlikely choices you may not be aware of.
Guard Llama - Photo by Paul Keleher
Llamas have proven to be very effective at guarding sheep. They are naturally alert and can be very territorial. If an intruder approaches, the llama can make a variety of loud calls and will herd the animals it is watching over into a small group, placing itself in between them and intruder. Llamas will chase and kick those who get to close and have even been known to kill coyotes and dogs to protect the herd. They are fairly low maintenance animals and usually work best alone. The below video shows a guard llama with its herd of goats and sheep. Donkeys are another popular choice as a guard animal as they are naturally wary of strangers and harbor a strong dislike of predatory animals, even domestic dogs. Donkeys have fantastic hearing and good eyesight as well as a loud bay that can be used to warn the herd. Like llamas, guard donkeys can and will attack threats if necessary. The video below shows a guard donkey attacking a ranch fence when strangers approach in a car. It may seem funny, but these donkeys take their jobs pretty seriously!
According to an Iowa State University study, the use of these unconventional guard animals is extremely effective, in some cases reducing predatory losses to only 7% of the herd.
While wildlife lovers will always view coyotes and dingoes as rightful residents of their habitats, to ranchers they represent a significant problem as pests. Using effective guard animals such as llamas and donkeys allows ranchers to protect their herds from predators without resorting to killing the predators, which seems like a win-win situation for everyone.
When you think of the American West in the 1800’s, the animals that usually come to mind are horses, bison, and donkeys, right? Well, for a short time in the 19th century, you could add camels to that list as well.
Dromedary camel. Photo: Jron
Known throughout the world for their capabilities in dry and harsh conditions, camels appeared to be an ideal choice for U.S. Army troops stationed in the desert southwest to use as pack animals. The idea gained ground in the 1850s when it was given support by U.S. senators’ Jefferson Davis and George Perkins Marsh, who convinced congress to appropriate $30,000 to purchase a herd of 50, along with native drivers.
The first camel shipment arrived in Texas in 1856, and the animals proved their worth to the Army almost immediately, moving across terrain impossible for horses to traverse while requiring very little water. An additional 41 camels arrived early the next year, and the animals set to work surveying and hauling loads throughout the southwest. Politicians attempted to lobby congress to purchase an additional 1000 camels, but with the Civil War looming the idea was quickly abandoned.
Ex-Army camel in Canada, 1860's
After the “Camel Corps” idea was scrapped, most of the remaining animals were either sold off to private owners, or simply set free by soldiers ordered to return east for the war effort. Some owners attempted to use their camels for freight hauling and packing businesses, but were largely unsuccessful, leading to a small feral camel population in the western U.S. and Canada. The last feral Army camels were spotted in the early 1930’s in California and British Columbia. And although none have been seen since, it is rumored that descendants of those original Army camels still roam the southwest today.
A donkey's eyes are larger in proportion to its head than those of a horse. The placement of a donkey’s eyes is also unique, allowing the donkey to see all four of its feet at all times!
Yesterday I told you about one horse who escaped the WWI draft in Britain due to the love of her owner and the compassion of a General. Some people did ask me, "What would a pony have done in the war anyway?" As I stated in that post, most horses conscripted to service were not war horses. Britain's cavalry force at the start of WWI numbered only about 100,000 men. Even with 2 horses apiece and mounts for senior officers in other branches, the number of horses required for combat service would in no reach the numbers actually used during the war.
Although the use of cavalry was considered a premiere battle tactic at the start of WWI, the advent of trench warfare soon changed that opinion. The majority of horses, as well as mules and donkeys were used to transport supplies, weapons and troops to all points where they were needed. Donkeys and mules received the more difficult duties, most involving rough terrain, narrow precipitous passageways, or harsh weather conditions. Donkeys need little forage, are naturally agile and can withstand heavy loads. Mules, crosses between horses and donkeys, seem to have genetically received the best of both parents being patient, and sure-footed like the donkey, but with the size, strength and vigor of the horse. Any wonder the United States Army chose the Mule as its mascot?
These loyal beasts of burden did receive care from their troops, but they were also considered an expendable and renewable resource – easier to come by than a soldier or truck. They were caught up in war and many died of disease, starvation and the cold. Many others were simply euthanized due to injury or wounds suffered in battle. Still, of the over 2.5 million horses treated in veterinary hospitals during the war, a surprising 2 million recovered and were able to return to duty – better odds than for soldiers.
President Calvin Coolidge once said “Any man who does not like dogs and want them about, does not deserve to be in the White House.” This probably went for other animals as well, for Coolidge and his family acquired even more pets than the Roosevelts.
During Coolidge's two terms in office, the White House almost literally became a zoo. Exotic animals such as lion cubs, bears, an antelope, wallaby, bobcat and a pygmy hippo were all part of the menagerie. And, of course, there were more typical pets, over 12 dogs, 4 cats and at least 3 canaries.The Coolidges owned a beloved donkey named Ebeneezer, and commandeered one of the White House trees to build a special house for their 2 raccoons—Rebecca and Horace.
Rebecca was quite lively and enjoyed playing in the First Lady's bathtub with "a little water in it and a cake of soap." Another one of Rebecca's favorite games was climbing up the President and draping herself about his neck. The picture below shows First Lady, Grace Coolidge, out at the Easter Egg Roll with Rebecca. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
