Description

The Asian wild ass is 6.5 to 8 feet long, stands 3 to 4.5 feet high at the shoulder, and weighs between 440 and 570 pounds. Color varies depending on distribution and species, but it is generally reddish brown in the summer and yellowish brown in the winter, with white or buff underparts. The coarse mane lacks a forelock, and its tail has a tuft of long hair at the tip. This species is characterized by a thick black stripe with white edges that runs down the middle of the back. It also has relatively small feet and short legs.

Distribution and Habitat

This species ranges from the Black Sea to the Yellow River in China. It lives in desert or semi-desert areas, sometimes on plains, but penetrating high into mountains. They are never found more than seven or eight miles from water.

Reproduction

Wild asses are monogamous.

Breeding takes place during the spring or summer, varying by region. The foal is born eleven to twelve months later.

Stallions tend to stay with the mare and foal year-round, although the mare does most of the foal rearing.

Diet

Wild asses eat perennial grasses, herbs, and some bark.

Other Habits and Behaviors

Very wary animals, wild asses cannot be approached easily, and they keep well away from human habitation.

They live in troops of 10 to 12 consisting of a stallion, several females and some juveniles. In autumn and winter, troops may band together into herds two or three hundred strong.

Scientific Classification

phylum Chordata
subphylum Vertebrata
class Mammalia
order Perissodactyla
family Equidae
genus & species Equus hemionus

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