What is the difference between a donkey and a mule? These animals have been used for years in order to transport supplies and people over very rough terrain.

The main difference between a donkey and a mule is that a mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare), while a donkey is the offspring of a male donkey and a female donkey (jennet). Mules are almost always infertile, while donkeys can be fertile. 

As a result, mules are slightly taller and larger than donkeys due to the influence of the horse.

Almost all donkeys have a marking called the dorsal stripe that looks a little like a cross. A mule does not have a similar marking.

Donkeys have ears that are slightly larger than a mule and are darker around the edges.

Mules make a sound that is a combination of a horse whining and the "aw ah" of a donkey, compared to a donkey that has it's characteristic " aw ah" sound.

 

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