The donkey is a domesticated member of the horse family, descended from the African wild ass (Equus africanus). Domesticated in Africa between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago, this resilient animal has since been used globally as a draft and pack animal. The variety of common names—including donkey, ass, and burro—can be confusing. Furthermore, specific terms like jack and jenny denote sex, and the animal is often mistakenly conflated with its hybrid offspring, the mule and the hinny.
The Core Common Names
The most widely accepted term for the species is “donkey,” first recorded in the late eighteenth century. The exact origin of the word is uncertain, but it may be a modified version of a dun-colored animal or a diminutive of the name Duncan. This term gained popularity as a replacement for the older name.
The historical and scientific name for the species is “ass,” derived from the Latin asinus. The domesticated animal’s scientific classification is Equus africanus asinus, placing it as a subspecies of the African wild ass. The name “ass” fell out of general use in polite conversation due to its phonetic similarity with the term “arse” (meaning buttocks), leading to the adoption of “donkey.”
The name “burro” is common, particularly in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it is often used for the smaller, working donkey. This name is directly adopted from the Spanish word for the animal. In the US, “burro” is generally heard more frequently west of the Mississippi River, while “donkey” remains more common in the east.
Gender and Age Specific Terminology
Adult donkeys are classified using distinct terms based on their sex, a common practice in animal husbandry. The male donkey is called a “jack,” or sometimes a “jackass.” While “jackass” is biologically correct, it has developed a secondary, derogatory meaning when applied to humans.
The female donkey is referred to as a “jenny” or “jennet.” These specific names maintain clarity in breeding records and daily management. The term “jack” is important in breeding, as male donkeys are used to sire both purebred donkeys and hybrid offspring.
A donkey less than one year old, regardless of sex, is called a “foal,” which is the same term used for a young horse. While “colt” (young male) and “filly” (young female) are sometimes borrowed from horse terminology, “foal” is the most common term for a young donkey.
Distinguishing Hybrids
Donkeys are frequently confused with the two primary hybrid animals produced when crossed with a horse. The most well-known hybrid is the mule, the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Mules are known for their strength, endurance, and sure-footedness, inheriting desirable traits from both parents.
The less common hybrid is the hinny, the result of breeding a male horse (stallion) with a female donkey (jenny). Both mules and hinnies are sterile due to genetic incompatibility. Horses possess 64 chromosomes, donkeys have 62, and the resulting hybrid has 63.
The difference in parentage results in subtle distinctions between the two hybrids. Mules tend to be larger and often exhibit more donkey-like features, such as longer ears and a heavier head. Conversely, hinnies are generally smaller, and their features may lean more toward the horse, though they are still easily recognizable as a donkey-horse cross.