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Donkey Sanctuary Information Sheet

Science - Ourselves

Information Sheet No.8 – Donkey ears and eyes

There are two schools of thought as to why donkeys have such large ears. 

    1. As donkeys orginate from the hotter climates of Africa and Asia they, like elephants, use their large ears as cooling devices.
    2. Communication in Africa and Asia, having large, open countryside, was made easier for the donkeys as their large ears improved their hearing, enabling them to hear the brays from distant donkeys.

Unlike humans, donkeys’ eyes are placed on the side of their head, which greatly improves their peripheral vision.  This wider angle of vision enables donkeys to see predators more easily.

The Donkey Sanctuary,
Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU
Tel. 01395 578222
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

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