We know they are not horses, but how could anyone resist that face? The American Mammoth Jack has been bred in the US since the 18th century. Their strength, robust nature and sheer bulk made them extremely useful for agriculture and transporting loads.
A Little Backstory
While the official registry was established in 1888, large donkeys had already been bred in the US for over a century. Using a base of European types (there are large donkey breeds native to both Spain and France) crossed with American and Mexican animals. The goal was to create bigger, stronger animals capable of moving heavy loads over distances.
Initially they attempted a breed standard, limiting breeding stock to black animals a minimum of 15 hands tall (the jenny above is a good example). However limited breeding stock over the years made maintaining these standards impossible and eventually they were relaxed. Modern Mammoths can be found in many colors and sizes.
What Makes Them Special
Seriously, just scroll up and look at that face one more time, huge donkeys are adorable. They also possess a historical significance to the US. Without them slogging mine ore, pulling timber and carrying gold rush mother-lodes the country may have been a different place. Today they are more likely to be pets than working animals and everyone can probably agree they deserve the rest. To learn more about them, be sure to visit the American Mammoth Jack breed page.
Quick Facts
Native to the United States.
American Mammoth Jackstock Registry was established in 1888.
They are not listed in the DAD-IS.