Surprising top 10 facts about DONKEYS you probably didn't know!

Donkeys, also called burros and asses, I know, I'm sorry, are found throughout the world. They are members of the Equidae family, which also includes horses and zebras. They originated in the African desert and here are some fascinating stuff you probably didn't know about. Number 1. Donkeys are memory freaks. And they can recognize a place they have been in the past or other donkeys they have met Number 2. They have this reputation of being stubborn, but it's not really stubbornness. They are not stubborn. They just have a very highly developed sense of self-preservation. A donkey will not do something if it considers it unsafe. They will first reason, then make decisions based on their safety. What we interpret as stubbornness might be fear or hesitation because they find a situation to be unsafe. Number 3. Donkeys have a very high sense of curiosity and they really like to discover new things. Including your hair, your phone, the camera you're holding, your jacket. They have extraordinarily sensitive ears and noses. When they smell or hear something strange, they have to come and take a look. They want to know everything that's going on, which makes the typical image of a lonely donkey tied in a field, deprived of any stimulation, an incredibly sad thing. Which brings us to number 4. Donkeys are social animals and they do not like being left alone. Donkeys form lifetime friendships, so they need another donkey as a friend in order to be happy. Or maybe another farm animal. They often pick a best friend with whom they spend most of their time and pairs frequently touch each other and groom each other. When separated from their companions, donkeys become anxious and distressed and they can even fall into depression. Number 5. Donkeys actually run. If you observe them actually, you'll notice that they are not sedentary creatures at all. And yes, they do run. They gallop as part of courtship, run when playing and chase each other. Which brings us to the fact that... Number 6. Donkeys play. They play. The list of toys they might enjoy playing with is endless and fun. It includes hula hoops, beach balls, pipe rings and cardboard boxes. They are much more cerebral than horses and can even be destructive when bored. Leave anything unattended and you'll probably find your donkey playing with it and tossing it around. Number 7. Each and every one of them has its own character. One can be playful, while another one can be tender, aloof, serious. Within a herd, you can spot the differences in each animal's character very easily. Number 8. Donkeys actually make very good therapy animals. Research has shown that spending time with donkeys has enormous therapeutic benefits. Their slow and steady presence gives a feeling of security and comfort. According to the British-based Donkey Sanctuary, even the most disturbed, agitated children relax when petting or talking to donkeys. Number 9. Training them is mainly based on convincing them that they can trust you. Unfortunately, in most countries, including Greece, donkeys and other equines are taught to work and overwork with fear. But donkeys learn a lot easier if trained using the science of behavior. Donkeys respond very well to the use of positive reinforcement and can even be clicker-trained extremely easily, just like dogs. Number 10. Donkeys are odorless. They do not smell of anything, unlike horses, which can have a specific odor. You can spend hours cuddling with donkeys, and your hands, clothes and hair will smell the same as they did before. A few more things about them include the fact that they live up to 50 years, although for working donkeys in poor countries, their life expectancy goes down to 12-13 years. They are pregnant for around 11-14 months, to one and only fall at a time. They bray for a variety of reasons. They may be lonely and calling for a friend, excited about something, or they may be anticipating food. And their veterinary care includes regular exams, vaccinations, deworming and of course hoof and dental care. Generally, donkeys make very good pets, so if you have the space, the time and the money, you can adopt two, not one, because remember, they need a best friend.