what to feed begging burros

by Dr. Jana Spinka V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Apples and carrots are a great choice. (We brought baby carrots to feed them and wish we had brought the larger full-size ones instead.) They also enjoy crackers and a wide variety of other foods. As it turns out though, the begging burros do not like rutabagas. The begging burros prefer carrots over rutabagas.

While Custer State Park officials recommend visitors not feed the burros anything, I can tell you from personal experience with these rascals that they'll basically eat anything, from turkey sandwiches and potato chips to any type of cracker, which evidently are among their favorite foods.Sep 13, 2018

Full Answer

Is it OK to feed the Begging Burros of South Dakota?

Feeding the begging burros, or wild donkeys, of South Dakota’s Custer State Park. After a few minutes of this, it was getting old, and more vehicles had arrived eager to feed the animals, so we moved on. If you plan to visit, remember that it’s fine to feed the burros since this practice has been going on for years.

What do burros eat at Custer State Park?

While Custer State Park officials recommend visitors not feed the burros anything, I can tell you from personal experience with these rascals that they’ll basically eat anything, from turkey sandwiches and potato chips to any type of cracker, which evidently are among their favorite foods. But, they’re plainly not picky.

What is a begging Burro?

The burros are wild donkeys that live in a small section of Custer State Park along the road. They are called “begging burros” because they’ve become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food.

What should I Feed my new horse or burro?

If only legume hays are available, look for first or second cuttings or more mature cuts that have lower protein contents. In addition to his diet of high quality hay, provide your new horse or burro with trace mineralized salt fed on a free-choice basis.

What do you feed burros?

The most appropriate food for burros is dry pasture or a low-protein grass hay. If possible, avoid feeding burros alfalfa as the high protein levels can cause obesity. Avoid the temptation of using cheaper, poor quality hay that is not clean and fresh.

Where are the begging burros?

Custer State ParkVisiting the Begging Burros in Custer State Park The burros are wild donkeys that live in a small section of Custer State Park along the road. They are called “begging burros” because they've become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food. Many visitors bring crackers to feed them.

Where can I feed my donkey in South Dakota?

Custer State ParkDuring our visit to South Dakota and all the major tourist traps I found this little jem. Custer State Park was not crowded and I found out you can bring carrots to feed the wandering Wild Donkeys.

How many burros are in Custer State Park?

Because of how much land there is in the park, and the various types of wildlife that need resources, they limit the number of burros to about 11, “and that's where the park feels comfortable with managing that number.”

What can you feed the burros in Custer State Park?

While Custer State Park officials recommend visitors not feed the burros anything, I can tell you from personal experience with these rascals that they'll basically eat anything, from turkey sandwiches and potato chips to any type of cracker, which evidently are among their favorite foods.

Are burros friendly?

Burros are undomesticated donkeys. The Spanish word “burro” translates directly to English as “donkey.” The wild burros, which are known to be friendly to people who give them food, inhabit several unincorporated parts of Riverside County, including the hills above Grand Terrace and Moreno Valley, Walsh said.

How long does it take to drive the Wildlife Loop Custer State Park?

between one and two hoursFor your safety and the safety of the animals, please allow ample time to travel at a safe speed—generally 25 miles per hour or slower. When making plans, expect a travel time of anywhere between one and two hours to complete the loop.

What is the best time to see animals at Custer State Park?

When to travel: The best time to view animals along the Wildlife Loop Road is early morning or late in the evening, just before sunset. The road is open year-round but does require careful driving during winter conditions.

Are there wild horses in Custer State Park?

The Custer State Park burros are feral. They were introduced into the area by humans and have reverted to a wild or semi-wild state.

Are there bears in Custer State Park?

Bear Country you will definitely see animals elk, reindeer, mountain goats, sheep, coyotes, bears, bison, raccoons, badgers, porcupines, beavers, lynx, bobcats, fox, otters, grizzly bears, baby bears they are so adorable and some other animals.

How many bison are in Custer State Park?

1,400 bisonThe free roaming herd of nearly 1,400 bison at Custer State Park is one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds.

Where can I see wild bison in South Dakota?

Badlands Wilderness AreaBison are best seen from Sage Creek Rim Road, which overlooks the Badlands Wilderness Area where they live. Bighorn Sheep are often seen on the rocky precipices of Pinnacles Overlook and in Cedar Pass areas like Castle Trail and Big Badlands Overlook.

Where is the wild burros in Las Vegas?

Burros can often be spotted along SR-159 near First Creek Trail and around the village of Blue Diamond.

Where are the wild burros in Nevada?

Located in Mineral County, Nevada, Marietta is the Nation's first formally recognized Wild Burro Range. The 68,000-acre range is managed for between 78-104 wild burros (Equus asinus asinus). The burros roam freely near the ruins of the historic Nevada mining town of Marietta and the seasonally changing Teels Marsh.

Where are the donkeys in Las Vegas?

If you can believe it, you can spot wild burros 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, and better yet, of all the Silver State locales boasting burro bands, the place you're more likely to see a baby is right here, at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

Are there wild donkeys in Beatty Nevada?

Beatty Burros The unofficial welcoming committee and purveyors of Beatty culture, your trip to the historic Bullfrog Mining District is incomplete without crossing paths with at least one of the dozens of wild donkeys—or in Nevada, we like to call them burros—roaming the streets in and around downtown Beatty.

What do burros eat?

What do burros eat? Besides the crackers as previously mentioned, some tourists bring healthier snacks like apples and carrots. They’re not exactly the pickiest of animals when it comes to their diet. The burro population here is small, usually numbering less than 10.

Where to see the Begging Burros and Bison in South Dakota?

Visiting the Begging Burros and Bison in South Dakota’s Custer State Park. It’s finally time to wrap up our focus on South Dakota for this month. Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument and the bighorn sheep in Badlands National Park were all interesting.

Why are burros called burros?

They are called “begging burros” because they’ve become famous for approaching vehicles and expecting food. Many visitors bring crackers to feed them.

What happened to the begging burros?

The wildfire also endangered the begging burros which couldn’t get out of the way of the rapidly advancing flames. When the blaze was finally extinguished, park officials found all nine of their most popular residents had sustained injuries, ranging from dehydration and hoof damage to facial swelling and burns.

How many miles are burros on the wildlife loop?

Commonly seen on the 18-mile Wildlife Loop, these critters are uncommonly friendly, stopping to say hello to every slowing motorist, and sneaking their heads into every auto that offers a chance for a quick snack, no matter the season. For the more skittish visitors who opt to keep their windows rolled up, the begging burros generally leave a slobbery mess on those same windows, but it’s nothing a little water and a squeegee won’t resolve.

What animals dance in the breeze?

Certainly, it’s easy to be distracted by alpine lodges, barking prairie dogs, playful buffalo calves, soaring eagles and a medley of wildflowers dancing in the breeze alongside the roadway.

Do burros eat crackers?

The burros aren’t very particular when it comes to consumption, and you’d never know from their eating habits that they survive primarily on prairie grasses. While Custer State Park officials recommend visitors not feed the burros anything, I can tell you from personal experience with these rascals that they’ll basically eat anything, from turkey sandwiches and potato chips to any type of cracker, which evidently are among their favorite foods. But, they’re plainly not picky.

What to feed a burro?

PRO TIP: Bring full-size carrots (not baby carrots) for the begging burros. It is less nerve-wracking to hand feed them large carrots.

Do you feed burros in Custer State Park?

Rangers usually discourage visitors from feeding wild animals in parks… but, for whatever reason, they don’t seem to mind if you feed the burros living in this area of Custer State Park. These friendly small donkeys love to eat and have become accustomed to receiving treats from visitors.

Do begging burros like rutabagas?

As it turns out though, the begging burros do not like rutabagas. The begging burros prefer carrots over rutabagas. A park ranger said that a visitor tried feeding them rutabagas the day before our visit, and the burros turned their noses up at the unappetizing root vegetable. I can’t say I blame them.

What do wild horses eat?

First of all, remember that wild horses and burros are used to eating native grasses and shrubs on Western rangelands. They have never eaten grains, and do not even recognize them as food. Start your wild horse or burro on a hay only diet. About three percent of the animal's body weight (approximately 25 to 30 pounds per day for an adult horse ...

What is more important than the type of hay you feed your animal?

More important than the type of hay is the quality of the hay you feed your animal. Hays harvested at the pre-bloom or early bloom stage of maturity have higher nutrient values than late-cut hays. High proportions of stems to leaves or mature seeds are indications that the hay was too mature when cut.

Why is my hay brown?

Check the inside of the bales for color - sun bleaching on the outside will not affect the nutrients on the inside of the bale. Brown hay throughout indicate s a loss in nutritional value in the bale. If the hay smells at all moldy or appears dusty, do not use it as it may cause respiratory problems and colic.

How much water do horses need?

It is essential that wild horses and burros have free access to clean water at all times. Adult horses need at least 15 to 20 gallons per day. Your animal has never seen a water bucket and may be more willing to drink from a water trough.

Is grain good for animals?

Whichever grain you choose, make certain it is of good quality. It must be clean and free of dust, bugs, mold, and musty odors. Be sure to keep your grains locked away and out of your animal's reach. Accidental overconsumption of grain may cause colic, founder and permanent damage to his feet, and death in severe cases.

Can horses eat sorghum?

Commercial horse grain rations (often composed of equal parts of oats and corn mixed with molasses) may also be used. We do not recommend feeding grain sorghum to your horse or burro. Whichever grain you choose, make certain it is of good quality.

Can you add ground corn to a horse?

You may wish to add ground corn at a later time. Corn has higher energy values (carbohydrates) and a low fiber content and may cause digestive problems. However, it is useful in fattening horses and burros.

Where do burros come from?

Burros--the name comes from the Spanish word for donkey, which is the same creature--most likely derive from the African wild ass, which survives in semi-arid scrub and grasslands of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Superficially similar to donkeys, these tough ungulates are well-suited to their severe, water-stressed environment.

What is the burro in Custer State Park?

One of the most prominent members of the wildlife community at South Dakota’s Custer State Park is the burro. This charismatic relative of the horse, long of ear and muzzle, might have been domesticated a continent away and established in the area only through human doing, but it now thrives in the park's tawny prairies and pine savannas.

What are the animals that live in the Black Hills?

Other hoofed mammals commonly encountered in the park have a long association with the hills and Great Plains, most famously the bison, but also elk, pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer.

Can you see burros in South Dakota?

Spotting the burros is generally easier than seeing more elusive creatures like elk or coyotes. Because of their inquisitiveness and habituation to human feeding, the herds can be encountered right along the roads. The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation stresses that visitors should be highly cautious around the begging burros, as any wild animal can be dangerous.