A mule named 'Oklahoma Sam' is today celebrating being crowned the 'Tallest Living Donkey' on the planet.
Measuring 15.3 hands (155.45 cm; 5ft 1in) tall, she dwarfs the common donkey (8 hands high) and her own larger 'Mammoth Jackstock' breed (12 hands high).
The four-year-old record-breaker lives in Watsonville, California, USA, where she shares her one acre of land with a Macaw, duck, goose and four cats.
The other animals, unfazed by Sam's size, enjoy playing with the giant donkey, and when Sam isn't chasing them around the farmland she can usually be found sleeping in an area of shade or nibbling on her bale.
Sam's overall care is handled by 54-year-old Linda Davis, a keen gardener and animal lover.
Linda, who calls Sam her "soul mate", says: "It actually doesn't cost anymore to have a donkey of this size.
"He doesn't eat more. In fact, if I give him more bale he'll just use it to make his bedding more comfortable. He loves his sleep"
On Sam's tile, Linda says: "It's fantastic to get the record. People are always shocked by his size and say it must be a record. Now I can show them the book!"
Sam's record and many, many more feature in the new Guinness World Records 2013 edition - is out now worldwide from all good retailers. Find out more about the book and its incredible augmented reality feature, and where you can buy a copy at www.guinnessworldrecords.com/2013/
