A “zonkey” is a hybrid cross produced by mating a zebra and a donkey. Zonkeys are rare. They are bred in zoos and on specialized farms around the world. Their names depend on who is breeding them. A zonkey has an odd number of chromosomes. It cannot reproduce.
Zonkeys can live in the wild. Most zonkeys are in zoos. A zonkey is born when a male zebra mates with a female donkey. This is more common. The foal from a female zebra and a male donkey is called a donkra. “Zonkey” sounds better.
In 2013, a vet said zonkeys are like mules. Mules come from female horses and male donkeys. The parts work, but there are no babies.
Zonkeys are real, not fantasy. In 2014, a Mexican zoo had a zonkey birth. The father was an albino donkey. Usually, the father is the zebra.
Zonkeys are sterile like mules and ligers. They cannot reproduce. Zonkeys can live in the wild. But most are in zoos.
Zonkeys are strong with great stamina. They may resist some pests and diseases. Zoos use them for rides. Zonkeys have unusual features. Their stripes are only in some places.
It’s unlikely zonkeys will become domestic. Zebras are hard to train. Zonkeys can jump and behave oddly.
How rare is a zonkey?
A zonkey (also known as zebrass, zebronkey, zeedonk, zedonk, zebadonk, zenkey, or deebra) is a cross between a zebra and a donkey. Zonkeys today are pictured eating next to donkey mamas. Zonkeys can reach 3.5-5 feet high and weigh up to 700 pounds. Zonkeys develop a wide range of colors, but are traditionally light grey/brown with black stripes on legs/belly. Usually zonkey bellies and ears are lighter. Zonkeys can run 35mph.
Zonkeys are rare, with only 100 existing. They can cost $500-$30,000. The zonkey is a sterile creature, so it cannot produce offspring. But zonkeys can live in the wild, next to zebras and donkeys in Africa.
While chance may result in a zonkey foal, zonkeys can’t usually reproduce. Male zonkeys are viable, but totally sterile. Zebras are difficult to train and require special enclosures. A zonkey is a half-wild animal, with unpredictable behavior.
So breeding zonkeys for domestication has slim chances. The zonkey lifespan ranges 15-25 years. Their weight ranges 227kg – 318kg. A recent zonkey birth video in Mexico (April 2014) shows a baby zonkey – well worth a watch!
Is a zonkey a mule?
A zonkey is the offspring of a male zebra and a female donkey. Zonkeys can live in the wild, although they are very rare. Sadly, the zonkey is a sterile creature. It cannot produce offspring of its own, similar to the mule and liger. The majority of zonkeys are found in zoos.
What are zonkeys used for? Zonkeys inherit great strength and stamina. They are sometimes used as work animals. It is believed they inherit resistance to some pests and diseases from their zebra fathers.
The zonkey combines sturdy body of donkey and striped legs of zebra mother. This makes a striking creature. However, zonkeys are mules. So they cannot successfully breed once mature.
A zebra mother and zonkey baby are thriving in Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya. The zebra joined a woman’s cattle herd last year. She got acquainted with a donkey. This is how the zonkey baby was born.
While zebra foals have white and brown stripes that turn black, this zonkey was light on stripes. It was overwhelmingly tawny in color. The mother and baby zonkey wait for wild zebras to discover them.
What is the difference between zonkey and zorse?
Zonkey is the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. Zorse is the offspring of a zebra stallion and a horse mare. A zonkey takes the color of the donkey parent and stripes from the zebra parent. The zorse takes the color of the horse parent and stripes from the zebra parent.
These hybrids represent the diversity of the animal kingdom. Zorses were originally bred to create an animal resistant to African diseases spread by flies. Today they are kept as pets and in zoos. Zonkeys have a small horse shape and stripe patterns prominent on lighter fur. They are rare crosses that can happen naturally where zebras and donkeys live near each other.
Zorses inherit a mix of traits from zebras and horses. They tend to be timid and flighty but can be tamed with slow, patient training from birth. However, they may remain more high-strung than horses. Experienced riders can ride zorses but should consider differences in personality and handling. Proper introduction and training helps ensure a safe, enjoyable ride.