Haven't made it to the National Zoo this holiday season? Catch up on what you're missing with our 12 Days of ZooLights. From Nov. 23 to Jan. 1, the zoo presents a sparking light display featuring sculptures of many of the zoo’s most popular animals. We're sharing one with you each day.
Today's animal: Donkey
Habitat: Donkeys are often found in desert climates.
In the wild: Donkeys can produce infertile offspring with horses and zebras. Wild donkeys are friendly with other animals and can be seen bonding with sheep, cattle and goats.
At the zoo: The Kids’ Farm at the Smithsonian National Zoo has four miniature Mediterranean donkeys. George, Pat, Guiseppe and Flash live with cows, alpacas, goats and hogs. Donkeys are herbivores and eat a meal of vegetiarn pellets twice a day. Keepers clean their hooves every night while they are eating.
Bet you didn't know... George Washington is responsible for breeding the first Mammoth Jack donkey in the United States.
PREVIOUS DAYS:
Day 6 (Dec. 24): Butterfly
Day 5 (Dec. 21): Crab
Day 4 (Dec. 20): Cow
Day 3 (Dec. 19): Flamingo
The Scene
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Day 2 (Dec. 18): Cheetah
Day 1 (Dec. 17): Komodo Dragon
