Romulus (donkey)

Romulus holds the record as the world's tallest donkey, as certified by the Guinness World Records. He was just over 2⅔ times as tall as KneeHi, the Guinness World Record holder for shortest donkey. He was owned by Phil and Cara Barker Yellott of Adrian, Michigan. Romulus was an American Mammoth Jackstock gelding. Romulus was the older of brother Remus, who is just 2 inches (50.8 mm) shorter.^[1]

Romulus

Romulus and Cara - November 6, 2013
Species	Donkey
Breed	American Mammoth
Sex	Male
Born	2004 (age 20–21)
Title	World’s Tallest Donkey
Predecessor	Oklahoma Sam
Successor	Dynamic Derrick
Owners	Cara Barker Yellott and Phil Yellott
Weight	1,300 lb (590 kg)
Height	68 in (172.72 cm)

Overview

Romulus, born 2004, measured 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm) from hooves to withers,^[2][3] and weighed about 1,300 pounds (590 kg). He was an American Mammoth Jackstock donkey,^[1] the world's largest donkey breed.^[4] American mammoths were developed and utilized for their potential to produce large mules when cross-bred with horses.^[4][5]

Guinness World Record

On February 8, 2013, Romulus was measured for the Guinness Book of World Records.^[5] His paperwork was received in London and certified by Guinness World Records on May 13, 2013.^[6]

As of February 2025 the world record for tallest living donkey is held by Dynamic Derrick at 167 cm (66 in).^[7]