Zebras Horses and Asses: Equidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Grevy's Zebra (equus Grevyi): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, EQUIDS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS
wild risk facing extinction
Equids live in Africa below the Sahara Desert, in the Middle East, Arabia, Central Asia, and Mongolia.
Equids graze throughout the day, and various species live in deserts to grassland and shrubland (similar to grassland, only with small trees and shrubs as well).
Equids eat grasses high in fiber, which makes them more difficult to chew and digest. Their teeth are made for breaking down the reedy plants, however, and their single stomach allows for quick digestion.
Domestic horses have played a significant role in the social and agricultural progress of humankind. Ironically, however, it has been humankind that has decimated the wild equid populations through hunting, habitat destruction, and the demand for livestock farming.
Of the seven species, one is Extinct, died out, in the Wild; one is Extinct altogether; one is Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction; two are Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction; and one is Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction. Wild equids are threatened primarily by hunters, but also by livestock grazing in their habitat, and inter-breeding with domestic horses and donkeys.
Additional Topics
Equids are social mammals and form groups in which individual needs for feeding, reproduction, and survival are met. Females form especially strong bonds and maintain stable communities even without the presence of a territorial male. Usually, one male heads a group and mates with several of the females. He spends a good deal of his time defending the group against "bachelor" or roam…
Physical characteristics: This zebra measures about 9.8 feet (3 meters) in length, with a shoulder height of 5.3 feet (1.6 meters). It weighs around 990 pounds (450 kilograms) and is the largest wild equid. The ears are large and round, and the short coat is black and white striped. The muzzle is white, and there is a dark stripe surrounded by white running down the length of the back. Geographic …
Physical characteristics: This medium-sized wild ass stands between 3.3 and 4.7 feet (1 and 1.4 meters) and has a coat that changes with the seasons. It is dark brown in winter and chestnut red in summer. To keep warm, the length of the hair doubles in winter. The belly is white, and there are patches of white on the neck, chest, and shoulder. The muzzle, too, is white. Geographic range: The kiang…
Physical characteristics: This horse stands 4 to 4.8 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) tall and weighs around 772 pounds (350 kilograms). Its legs are rather short while the head is large. During summertime, the coat is short and reddish brown, a color also known as "dun." The hairs grow thicker and longer during the winter to provide insulation from the cold. The mane is short and stands str…
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