Donkey vs. Mule — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
A donkey is a domesticated hoofed animal, while a mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
Difference Between Donkey and Mule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Donkeys and Mules both serve as working animals, but they have distinct genetic backgrounds. A donkey is a purebred member of the Equidae family, whereas a mule is a hybrid cross between a male donkey and a female horse.
While Donkeys possess a long history of domestication and come in various breeds, Mules are specifically valued for their hardiness and stamina. This vigor is often attributed to hybrid vigor or heterosis.
Donkeys are known for their distinctive braying sound and their stubborn yet intelligent nature. On the other hand, Mules often inherit the best qualities of both donkeys and horses, combining strength, intelligence, and a more even temperament.
Physically, Donkeys can vary in size but often have longer ears, a tufted tail, and a stockier build. Mules, benefiting from their hybrid lineage, tend to have a larger build like a horse but retain the long ears of a donkey.
In terms of fertility, Donkeys can reproduce, leading to offspring. However, most Mules are sterile due to their mismatched number of chromosomes, which is a result of their hybrid origin.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Purebred member of the Equidae family.
Hybrid between a male donkey and a female horse.
Sound
Brays.
Can bray or whinny, but often quieter.
Temperament
Stubborn yet intelligent.
Often more even-tempered than both parents.
Physical Traits
Longer ears, tufted tail, stockier build.
Larger build like horse, long ears of donkey.
Reproduction
Fertile.
Most are sterile due to chromosome differences.
Compare with Definitions
Donkey
Pack Animal: Often used as a pack or burden animal.
They loaded the supplies on the donkey's back.
Mule
Hybrid Offspring: Offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
The farmer preferred using mules for plowing.
Donkey
Distinctive Sound: Known for its braying sound.
The donkey's loud bray startled the visitors.
Mule
Combines Qualities: Inherits traits from both parents.
The mule had the donkey's endurance and the horse's strength.
Donkey
Symbolism: In some cultures, symbolizes patience and humility.
The story used a donkey as a symbol of humility.
Mule
Physical Traits: Strong body, long ears, and horse-like stature.
The mule's long ears distinguished it from horses.
Donkey
Domesticated Animal: A sturdy, domesticated hoofed mammal.
She bought a donkey to help carry goods.
Mule
Often Sterile: Due to chromosome differences, most can't reproduce.
Though strong, the mule couldn't have its own offspring.
Donkey
Member of Equidae: A purebred member of the horse family.
Donkeys are known for their endurance.
Mule
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes.
Donkey
The donkey or ass (Equus africanus asinus) is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus.
Mule
The sterile hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, characterized by long ears and a short mane.
Donkey
The domesticated ass (Equus asinus), having long ears and a loud bray.
Mule
A sterile hybrid, as between a canary and other birds or between certain plants.
Donkey
(Slang) An obstinate person.
Mule
(Informal) A stubborn person.
Donkey
(Slang) A stupid person.
Mule
A spinning machine that makes thread or yarn from fibers. Also called spinning mule.
Donkey
A domestic animal, Equus asinus asinus, similar to a horse.
Mule
A small, usually electric tractor or locomotive used for hauling over short distances.
Donkey
A stubborn person.
Mule
(Slang) A person who serves as a courier of illegal drugs.
Donkey
A fool.
Mule
A backless slipper or shoe, often with a closed toe.
Donkey
(nautical) A small auxiliary engine.
Donkey engine
Mule
The generally sterile male or female hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
Donkey
A box or chest, especially a toolbox.
Mule
The generally sterile hybrid offspring of any two species of animals.
Donkey
(poker slang) A bad poker player.
Mule
A hybrid plant.
Donkey
British sea term for a sailor's storage chest.
Mule
(informal) A stubborn person.
Donkey
An ass; or (less frequently) a mule.
Mule
(slang) A person paid to smuggle drugs.
Donkey
A stupid or obstinate fellow; an ass.
Mule
A coin or medal minted with obverse and reverse designs not normally seen on the same piece, either intentionally or in error.
Donkey
The symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
Mule
(RPG) A MMORPG character, or NPC companion in a tabletop RPG, used mainly to store extra inventory for the owner's primary character.
Donkey
Domestic beast of burden descended from the African wild ass; patient but stubborn
Mule
Any of a group of cocktails involving ginger ale or ginger beer, citrus juice, and various liquors.
Mule
(sailing) A kind of triangular sail for a yacht.
Mule
A kind of cotton-spinning machine.
Mule
A shoe that has no fitting or strap around the heel, but which covers the foot.
Mule
To smuggle (illegal drugs).
Mule
A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated between an ass and a mare. Sometimes the term is applied to the offspring of a horse and a she-ass, but that hybrid is more properly termed a hinny. See Hinny.
Mule
A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the pistil of one species with the pollen or fecundating dust of another; - called also hybrid.
Mule
A very stubborn person.
Mule
A machine, used in factories, for spinning cotton, wool, etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; - called also jenny and mule-jenny.
Mule
A slipper that has no fitting around the heel.
Mule
Sterile offspring of a male donkey and a female horse
Mule
A slipper that has no fitting around the heel
Mule
Working Animal: Valued for hardiness and stamina.
Mules were essential for mountain transport.
Common Curiosities
Can mules reproduce?
Most mules are sterile and cannot reproduce.
Why are donkeys considered stubborn?
Donkeys are cautious by nature, which can be perceived as stubbornness.
Which is larger, a donkey or a mule?
Generally, mules are larger, combining the stature of a horse with donkey traits.
Do both mules and donkeys bray?
Yes, but mules might also whinny like horses or be quieter.
Which is more durable, a mule or a donkey?
Mules often have superior endurance and strength due to hybrid vigor.
Where did donkeys originate?
Donkeys were likely first domesticated in Northeast Africa.
Is a mule just a type of donkey?
No, a mule is a hybrid offspring of a donkey and a horse.
Are donkeys and mules used in transportation?
Yes, both have historically been used as pack animals and for transport.
Can you ride both donkeys and mules?
Yes, both are rideable, but mules are often preferred for their size and strength.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
