Donkeys are ungulates with browsing and grazing habits.
Consume grasses, bark, leaves, even creosote bushes in desert areas. (Groves 1974)
Prefer grassy parts of the habitat over shrub or woodland parts
Can survive with little water and can tolerate even salty water. (Klingel 1990)
In wild, Equus africanus individuals sometimes go for 2-3 days without water. (Groves 1974)
Have more endurance and tolerate reduced food and water better than other horse species. (Klingel 1990)
Domestic donkeys can survive in Death Valley, CA
Young foals and nursing females need to be near water for daily drinks. (Moehlman 2002)
Donkeys and other asses have evolved to use sparse fibrous vegetation and have more efficient digestion than horses; their digestion is similar in efficiency to that of goats.(Choshniak et al 1989)
