Social organisation in donkeys
Donkeys have a different social organisation to that of horses. This fact sheet gives you information on the observations made on species of wild equids with this type of organisation, particularly the true wild ass of Northern Africa, who is the ancestor of our domestic donkeys. Information on the social structure adopted by groups of domestic or feral donkeys in semi free-roaming conditions is in fact scarce.
- Groups
- A male will defend his territory when females are in season
- What happens when horses and donkeys are put together ?
- To remember
- Practical consequences
Groups
Wild species or feral donkeys in free-roaming conditions
Groups of donkeys are variable in their size and composition. All sorts of group composition can be found, as groups form and disband regularly. In these groups social ties are fairly loose, except the ties between a female and her most recent offspring.
For example, on a fairly small Carribean island with a tropical climate, a population of 76 feral donkeys was observed over a one year period. 18 different grouping patterns were observed, from solitary males or females, to several males with several females accompanied by their offspring, the average social unit comprising 2 individuals. These units were unstable, i.e their composition might change after a few days or a few weeks. Adult males were more often than not solitary, or with a few other males. Adult females were usually with their offspring and other females, sometimes with a male. Several gestating females were observed : they would self-isolate to give birth, and then join the others for between 20 to 100 days.
In Greece, in a census of a population of 800 feral donkeys living on 132km2, 95 different social units were observed. These units comprised on average 8 individuals.
In domestic conditions
Even if the ties in the group are loose, with individuals who are more or less close to each other, it appears that if a move is initiated by a few individuals, the others will also move.
A male will defend his territory when females are in season
Wild or feral species in free-roaming conditions
During the mating season, some males will actively defend their territory if a female in season is on that territory. Generally speaking, a donkey’s territory is strategically situated where females have every chance of passing either to drink or to feed. Non territorial males can cross this territory, as long as they show signs of submissive behaviour and ignore the females who are in season
In domestic conditions
Cohabitation between stallion donkeys, or between stallions and geldings can be difficult and requires good fencing, especially if they can see the females. When a new male arrives in the group, the dominant stallion will climb onto the newcomer and bite him for at least a week, depending on his aggressivity. If a new stallion is removed from the group for mating, when he comes back he could be attacked by the dominant male again. It may therefore be necessary to seperate males during the mating season. The level of aggressivity drops significantly if the females are not in sight or at the end of the season.
What happens when horses and donkeys are put together ?
One study looked at the social organisation of 8 horses, 4 mules, and 4 donkeys (the donkeys each knew one of the horses) placed together in a large field, and with no prior knowledge of one another (except for the donkey-horse pairs). After 14 months, friendly relationships distinguished the group of horses (with two sub-groups), the group of mules, and the group of donkeys. Hierarchy was linear[1] between the horses, reasonably linear between the mules, and non linear in the donkeys. The horses were dominant over the mules, who in turn were dominant over the donkeys.
[1] Linear hierarchy : A dominates B, B dominates C, therefore A dominates C
To remember
In free-roamng or semi-natural conditions, donkeys do not have the same social structure as horses, they do not form stable family groups. They tend to establish vey small social units. The composition of these groups is quite loosely bonded, even if adult domestic donkeys tend to form pairs. During the mating season, dominant males establish a territory and will readily attack other males. This type of organisation could stem from the fact that the desert is their original habitat.
Practical consequences
There are numerous consequences to this type of social structure :
- Social contact with at least one other donkey should be favored ;
- Be very careful of stallions during the mating season, as they can have very strong reactions towards other males, even when they are gelded.
Know more about our authors
- Translated from french by : Karen DUFFY Translator
- Marianne VIDAMENT Veterinarian - development engineer IFCE
Bibliography
- FLEURANCE G., LEBLANC M.A. et DUNCAN P., 2004. Le comportement des équidés en liberté. 30ème Journée de la Recherche Equine, Paris, pages 101-113.
- HAMRICK R.G., PIRGALIOGLU T., GUNDUZ S. et CARROLL J.P., 2005. Feral donkey Equus asinus populations on the Karpaz peninsula, Cyprus. Eur. J. Wildlife Res., 51(2), pages 108-116.
- KLINGEL H., 1975. Social-organization and reproduction in equids. J. Reprod. Fertil., 23, pages 7-11.
- MURRAY L.M.A., BYRNE K. et D'EATH R.B., 2013. Pair-bonding and companion recognition in domestic donkeys, Equus asinus. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 143(1), pages 67-74.
- PROOPS L., BURDEN F. et OSTHAUS B., 2012. Social relations in a mixed group of mules, ponies and donkeys reflect differences in equid type. Behavioural Processes, 90(3), pages 337-342.
- PURDY S., 2018. Small herd behaviour in domestic donkeys. Equine Vet. Educ., 31(4), pages 199-202.
- RUDMAN R., 1998. The social organisation of feral donkeys (Equus asinus) on a small Caribbean island (St. John, US Virgin Islands). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 60(2-3), pages 211-228.
