What is the difference between an donkey and an ass? What is the difference between the two names?

What is the difference between an donkey and an ass? This question is asked a few, however, after hearing something like this, for sure everyone will come up with one thought: "But all the same? Are there any differences? Or are they just two names of the same animal? "

How varied and eloquent the Russian language! Many can express the same thought in completely different words or expressions. However, it is not always possible to use interchangeable words, while leaving the meaning of what has been said the same. It is very important to know and understand in what situations this or that expression will be appropriate. Many believe that the donkey and the ass are two completely identical concepts. But is it really so? What is the difference between an donkey and an ass? This article will help to find the answer to this interesting question.

Origin of words

To date, no one knows exactly how the word "donkey" appeared. Some scholars are inclined to believe that it came from the Latin word Asinus. There is no exact translation, but there is a more vague designation - a small animal, which is very similar to a horse, standing firmly on hoofs and from time to time issuing a strong roar.

But the history of the origin of the word "donkey" is deeply rooted in the Turkic languages. And it precisely characterizes precisely that animal, which many are accustomed to call an ass. Biologists are inclined to the version that the ass had Somali ancestors, and since that time the animal was used for economic purposes.

Historians also contributed to the interpretation of the words - they believe that the very first donkeys or donkeys first appeared in northern Africa, and over time they gradually settled across the Middle East and Asia.

What is the difference between an donkey and an ass?

In its essence, both one and the second animal represents something like a small, gray and incredibly stubborn animal. However, this is just a stereotype - public opinion, which has no connection with reality. In fact, donkeys are animals with a lot of advantages: unpretentiousness, omnivorous, endurance, heavy lifting capacity.

Most indicators eloquently show that these animals are more practical to use than a horse. So, what is the difference between an donkey and an ass? In their essence, there are no distinctive features between these animals. It's the same kind. The only difference is that they are called so depending on their place of residence.

Advantages of the "stubborn" ass

What is the difference between an ass and an ass? The photo of both eloquently testifies that as such there is no difference between animals, but it is much more interesting to learn about what advantages these stubborn creatures possess. The donkey and the donkey have an excellent instinct for self-preservation. As you know, the horse can easily be driven, but with the donkey this number will not work - he will not even move from his seat until he has a good rest. That's where the opinion came from that these animals are obstinate to the point of impossibility.

Interesting facts about a small gray animal

• The donkey is the closest relative of the horse.
• In the wild they do not live separately, but gather in herds, in which there may be about 1000 individuals.
• In ancient times, the donkey was considered a sacred animal in Indo-Europeans.
• Donkeys live about 30 years, but history knows the facts when some individuals lived to their 60th birthday.

What is the difference between an donkey and an ass and a mule?

At its core, the mule is a hybrid, resulting from the crossing of a male ass and a female horse. Has similarities with both parents: same long ears and the same lingering roar as the pope's, but in everything else he took over the mother features. This animal is also widely used in economic activities and has excellent endurance.

In fact, the donkey and the donkey are two names of the same animal, the use of which will be appropriate in any situation.