I LIVE IN EUROPE
Miniature donkeys are native to the Mediterranean, more specifically the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In the early 1900s, they were introduced to the United States, as well as other countries around the globe, for labor purposes.
I AM AN HERBIVORE
Donkeys love to eat grass, shrubs, and other short plants. They can eat up to 6,000 pounds of food every year! Donkeys don’t use their teeth to uproot plants; instead, they grip the the plant between their lips, pull it into their mouths, then use their teeth to chew.
MINIATURE DONKEYS ARE SOCIAL
Miniature donkeys are very social animals and will often form close bonds with other donkeys.
OH MY, WHAT BIG EARS YOU HAVE
Miniature donkeys have very strong hearing. Their ears have the ability to move independently of one another, an adaptation that helps them pinpoint where sounds are coming from.
HELPING MINIATURE DONKEYS IN THE WILD
By visiting the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, you are supporting local, regional, and global conservation. A portion of every ticket sold goes towards conservation of wildlife and wild places. Each year, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo donates over $250,000 to our conservation partners.
I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM
Because of their grazing habits, miniature donkeys play a crucial role in furthering the biodiversity within grassland areas. They have also been known to eat some of their courser plants that other herbivores tend to avoid.