Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Equidae Scientific Name : Equus zebra x Equus Colour : Brown, Tan, Grey Skin Type : Fur Size(H) : 1m - 1.5m (3.5ft - 5ft) Weight : 227kg - 318kg (500lbs - 700lbs) Top Speed : 54kph (35mph) Life Span : 15 - 25 years Most Distinctive Feature : Unique stripes darkest on belly and legs Fun Fact : The offspring of Zebra and Donkey parents!
- The Zonkey is the offspring of a male Zebra and a female Donkey.
- The offspring of a female Zebra and a male Donkey is called as Zedonk.
- Zedonks, Zorses and Zonkeys are all called as Zebroids.
- Wild Zonkeys exist but are rare and most Zonkeys are bred in animal institutions.
- Zonkeys look like Donkeys but have stripes on their bodies like Zebras.
- They are fast and agile like Zebras but also sturdy and resilient like Donkeys.
- Zonkeys are used for tasks such as pulling heavy loads.
- Unlike Donkeys, Zonkeys have a wild streak to them that is inherited from Zebras.
- Zonkeys are sterile due to the chromosomal mismatch between Zebras and Donkeys.
- The main predators of Zonkeys include carnivores such as large cats and crocodiles.
- Zonkeys can live for about 15 – 25 years approximately.
- They are herbivores and mainly eat grass, leaves, shrubs and fruits.
- Zonkeys are found in Africa and also in a few zoos across the world.
- They are social animals who live in herds and don’t like to be solitary.
- The first known Zonkey was sired accidently at the Colchester Zoo in the 1970s.
- Gestation period of the Zonkey is around one year.
- Zonkey foals start walking soon after birth but become completely independent in 6 months.
- They attain sexual maturity within a couple of years but cannot reproduce.