Equus asinus (burro, ass, donkey)
Specimen Images |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Family | Equidae |
| Genus | Equus |
| Species | Equus asinus |
| Common | burro, ass, donkey |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Habitat | Open, arid areas of the Southwest. May compete for water with desert bighorn sheep. Native of north Africa and Arabia. |
| Description | Non-native, popular pack animal. Burros resemble horses and are distinguished by their large head, long ears, and cow-like tail. They have an erect mane and lack the forelock of a horse. Burros often have a dark cross marking across the shoulders. |
| Skull Characteristics | Like horses, burros have both upper and lower incisors, males may have small canines. They have a diastema between front teeth and molariforms, which are hypsodont. Alisphenoid canal is present, unlike Artiodactyls. |
| Notes | Link to more species information:
Animal Diversity Web |