It’s an undeniable fact, small things are cute. There is just something about miniatures that adds up to big smiles. And while baby animals will always have a special place in our hearts, our list of favorites will always have room for minis.
Where do minis come from? Sometimes they are bred for size, but that is not always the case. There are some breeds that are naturally small in stature in comparison to their mainstream counterparts.
Today we want to talk about three such miniature animals that may be small in size, but big on personality, the mini donkey, zebu, and pygmy goat.
Mini donkey
Donkeys are easily recognized by their large head, long ears and face, and nearly cow-like tails. The mini donkey is a smaller, more compact version, typically reaching no more than 3 feet tall and weighing up to 300 pounds. Like their larger counterparts, the mini donkey is clever, a bit stubborn, and very social. They spend a lot of the time grazing and you can hear them bray, just like the big boys. Imported to the US in 1929, mini donkeys originally came from Sicily and Sardinia. A novelty at first, the mini donkey has gained popularity over the years, even as a pet.
Miniature Zebu
Miniature Zebus are actually the smallest species of cattle in the world. They are easy to identify by the tell-tale hump on their upper back and height, which doesn’t exceed about 42 inches. Their small size is natural, they are not a miniaturized version of a larger breed which makes them a bit unusual in the world of small animals. Like all cattle, the mini Zebu is hardy and spends a lot of time grazing. They are also known to be pretty friendly and social, so they do well in groups.
Pygmy Goat
This small goat is a domestic goat that came from Southwest Asia but is now common around West Africa. They typically don’t grow over 23 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh no more than 70 pounds. They are also known for being hardy, low maintenance, and quite friendly and clever. For this reason, and their small size, pygmy goats are sometimes kept as pets. They do love to play and run around, so they do require plenty of room. They are also social, so they do well in groups where they always have a partner to roughhouse with.
While all animals are great in their own right, the minis are always a favorite. If you’d like to see one of these fellows for yourself, head on over today!