Wild ass
| Wild ass | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Sub-class | Theriiformes |
| Infra-class | Holotheria |
| Order Information | |
| Superorder | Preptotheria |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Sub-order | Hippomorpha |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Equidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Equus |
| Subgenus | asinus |
| Species Information | |
| Species | E. africanus E. hemionus E. kiang |
| Population statistics | |
The wild ass (Equus asinus) refers to three species of horse-like mammals of the family Equidae.
Description
Compared to horses, asses are generally smaller, with the largest species standing no more than 55 inches at the shoulders; the remaining species are considerably less than that. They have a sturdy, robust appearance, and range in color from a bluish-gray to fawn for the African species, to a yellowish-grey to reddish for the Asian species. White is the color of their underparts and muzzle. Dark, horizontal stripes are sometimes present on the lower legs. They have long ears, a stiff, erect mane, and a tail whose appearance is more cow-like than horse-like.
All three species have had several subspecies domesticated in ancient times, as they were sure-footed and due to its stamina could handle load-carrying and other work for long periods with little care. Of these, the Nubian subspecies (E. a. africanus) is the ancestor of the donkey (E. a. asinus), one of the most successful and widespread domesticated animals.
Species
The three species are considered part of a subgenus named Asinus:
- African wild ass, Equus africanus
- Asiatic wild ass, Equus hemionus
- Tibetan wild ass, Equus kiang
Range and habitat
Asses are primarily found in arid and semi-arid environments, where grazing is available but in areas which generally do not support other large mammals. The Asian species are found from the Middle East to central Asia; the African species is severely restricted in range near the Horn of Africa; as a result of hunting, traditional medicine, and competition from livestock, the African species is critically endangered[1].
