How to tell a mule from a donkey

Donkeys and mules are very similar, with their long ears, skinny legs, and short manes. These are wonderful equines that we often confuse. So, what are the differences between donkeys and mules?

The mule comes from a donkey father and a mare mother. Many of its characteristics, therefore, are derived from donkeys.

Usually, however, mules take most of their appearance characteristics from their mother in terms of body structure, size, and coat. A mule is more likely to be mistaken for a horse than a donkey.

Apart from appearance-related characteristics, there are many differences between the two domesticated equines. For example, the mule is sterile, so it is not even considered a separate species in practice.

Let's look at the critical differences between donkeys and mules:

Classification

The donkey (Equus asinus) belongs to the equine family, along with horses and zebras. This classification is due to the long neck, the mane, and the unique toe on each foot.

Donkeys differ from horses mainly in the shape of their faces (the donkeys are much shorter), the structure of their ears (the donkeys are longer and thicker), and the structure of their backs (they are straighter than horses and have one less vertebra).

In addition to the domestic donkey, there are other species, such as the African wild donkey that lives in the deserts of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Mules are born from male donkeys and female horses - mares (Equus caballus). The animal that is a cross between a female donkey and a male horse does not give birth as often as the mule, but it is also sterile, with very few exceptions.

As the concept of "species" refers to "a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding", mules are not considered a species but hybrids. However, they have a scientific name: Equus mulus.

Of course, mules belong to the same family and genus as donkeys and horses.

Features

It is not always easy to tell a donkey from a mule by appearance alone. Nevertheless, there are characteristics that one can look at to understand what animal is in front of them.

– Both mules and donkeys are known for their short and thick heads, but the donkey's head is shorter and thicker than the mule's. Compared to the horse, the mule has long ears, but their shape resembles that of the horse, while the donkey's ears are thicker and wider. Their holes are larger and adapted to regulate temperature, a feature especially helpful in the hot desert where donkeys come from. Finally, donkeys' ears darken at the tips.

– Donkeys have straight backs, while mules have a slight curve, like a horse, but not as strong. Also, mules are bigger than donkeys. Both donkeys and mules have skinny legs and narrow hooves.

– Mules have short manes like donkeys, not long like horses. However, the coat of the mule is more similar to that of the horse, as the hair is finer and can be of various colours – such as brown, reddish-brown, black, grey, or even white.

– Donkeys have a harder coat and are usually grey, although there are also black and brown ones. Their cross-like formation starts at the base of their mane and runs down their spine.

Final thoughts

Although donkeys and mules are very similar in appearance, they have some differences that help us tell them apart. Mules have characteristics reminiscent of both a horse and a donkey.

Stella Panopoulou is a columnist for To Pet Mou. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.

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