There is a specific term for the science of animal classification, and that is taxonomy.
Let’s understand it in this way, and sometimes it becomes quite difficult to recognize the exact animal a person is talking about as the same name can be used to denote two different animals, species, or any subspecies.
This is where taxonomy helps. This is a real fact that several animals have the same name, but they belong to a totally different species, while there are some animals which have the same species or family but have totally different names.
Key Takeaways
- A donkey is a domesticated working animal, while a jackass is a male donkey.
- Donkeys are known for their intelligence and have been used for transportation and farm work for centuries.
- The term “jackass” is sometimes used as an insult to describe a foolish person.
Donkey vs Jackass
The difference between donkey and a jackass is that jackass has its very own specification, and that is, it refers to the “male” donkey only. In fact, it is actually derived from the nickname of a male donkey which was ‘Jack.’ While the donkeys of female genders are called “jennies.” At the same time, donkeys themselves are part of the horse family.
Donkey is quite the most well-known and most commonly used term. Plus, it is also likely for us to be aware of this term as donkeys are used worldwide for different purposes.
Equidae is the family that gives birth to donkeys. They are actually from the horse family only. Although once this family was widely diverse in almost every nation and the continent, now the only order that has remained is Equus.
Jackass is nothing specific but the male ones of a donkey. Donkey is an ass that is coming under domestic animals. The ass is a species of animal and belongs to the species of horse and even zebra too.
They are part of and belong to the equiid family, and the family is found in the wilds of Africa and Asia.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Donkey | Jackass |
|---|---|---|
| What are they? | Donkeys are one of the most commonly known animals belonging to the family of horses. | Jackass is the male donkey and the word is derived from the nickname of a donkey that was ‘jack’. |
| Species | The species of a donkey is E.Asinus. | The species of a jackass is the same as that of the donkey. |
| Family | Donkeys belong to the family of horses only named Equidae. | Jackass belongs to the family of both horses and zebras called equiid. |
| Reproduction | Donkeys can reproduce when they breed with female ones. | A jackass cannot reproduce, they are just born. |
| Used since | The donkey is being used as a working animal for more than 5000 years. | A jackass is just the make version of a donkey and is also being used for more than 5000 years. |
What is Donkey?
Donkeys are one of the most commonly used domestic animals in the entire world. They serve different purposes with different aims. They are from the family of Equidae.
They are most commonly used because horses and donkeys are easily domesticated, while people have also attempted to domesticate zebras but have failed significantly. Both horses and donkeys have been domesticated for millennia.
They are used for more than just one task. They are used for transportation, farming, sports, military work, industry works, and many more.
As they are used in so many fields, it is quite obvious now that without them, our world would be quite different.
Although it is also true that economically developed countries like the USA and Japan do not rely on them.
What is Jackass?
Donkeys have several different names, which can be understood by having proper knowledge of taxonomy. The male ones are called jackasses. It is derived from the nickname of male donkeys, which was ‘jack.’
A mule is formed as a result when a male donkey which is a jackass, is bred with the female one. Long before the time when horses were started to be domesticated by humans, asses were domesticated by them in the region of Africa.
Before the era of mechanized farming equipment and machines, mules were quite the most famous farm labour. Mules are both born male and female, but the fact about them is they cannot reproduce.
Burro is another kind of donkey, but it is the wild one and is found in the southwestern parts of Mexico and the United States. Burro is actually the Spanish word for donkey only.
Main Differences Between Donkey and Jackass
- The main difference between a donkey and a jackass is that Jackass is a male donkey, and the word is derived from the nickname of a donkey that was ‘jack’, while we all know about Donkeys. They are one of the most commonly known animals belonging to the family of horses.
- The species of a donkey is E. Asinus, while the species of a jackass is the same as that of the donkey, this is because they are both actually the same animal, but the specifications differ from one another.
- Donkeys belong to the family of horses only named Equidae, whereas Jackass being the male version of a donkey, only still belong to the family of both horses and zebras called equiid.
- Donkeys can reproduce when they breed with female ones, while the fact about jackasses is that they cannot reproduce. They are just born.
- The donkey has been used as a working animal for more than 5000 years, and of course, the jackass is just the male version of a donkey and is also being used for more than 5000 years.
- https://www.ivis.org/sites/default/files/library/aaep/2002/910102000113.PDF
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0006320776900422
Last Updated : 16 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article’s scientific descriptions and taxonomy explanations enhance our understanding of the biological classification of donkeys and jackasses.
The scientific insights into their classification are certainly enlightening.
Agreed, the taxonomy details provide clarity on their biological classifications.
The article offers a comprehensive view of donkeys and jackasses, highlighting their historical significance and their roles in various cultures and industries.
Indeed, the detailed information contributes to a deeper appreciation of these animals.
The taxonomy of donkeys and jackasses is quite fascinating, especially their relationship with the horse and zebra families.
Absolutely, it’s intriguing to see how they are all interconnected.
The article offers an in-depth analysis of the roles and significance of both donkeys and jackasses in various cultures and societies, shedding light on their ecological, historical, and biological dimensions.
Absolutely, the multifaceted analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of these animals.
The article’s interdisciplinary approach enriches our knowledge about donkeys and jackasses from various perspectives.
The explanation of the terms and origin of their names is very thorough and well-presented.
I appreciate the clear comparison table of donkeys and jackasses, making it easier to differentiate between the two.
Agreed, the table enhances the understanding of their distinctions.
Absolutely, it’s an excellent way to summarize the key differences.
Interesting article that explains the differences between donkeys and jackasses very well.
I agree, it’s important to understand the taxonomy of these animals to recognize their differences.
The article presents a detailed overview of the evolutionary and domestication history of donkeys and jackasses, which is highly informative.
Absolutely, the historical context provides valuable insights into the relationship between humans and these animals.
The information about their domestication and evolutionary relationships is indeed enlightening.
The article provides a holistic understanding of donkeys and jackasses, including their broader ecological context and impact.
It’s interesting to learn about their ecological distribution and natural habitats.
Absolutely, it sheds light on their ecological roles and habitats.
The historical and scientific context provided here offers a deep understanding of donkeys and jackasses.
This article is informative and enlightening, especially regarding the male donkey or jackass.
Indeed, it presents a clear distinction between the two in terms of their taxonomy.