Main Characteristics

The African Wild Ass is a wild member of the horse family, Equidae. They have a body length between 2 and 2.3 m (6.5 - 7.5 ft), a tail length of 45 cms (18 inches) and they weigh between 200 and 230 Kgs (440 - 510 lbs).

In the summer they are buff-grey in colour but during the winter months their coat is iron grey and they have a light coloured underside. Their mane is sparse and erect, and they have variable transverse stripes on their legs.

Habitat

African Wild Ass can be found in the rocky deserts of east Africa where the ground temperatures exceed 50°c (122°f). They are crepuscular and nocturnal and they seek shade during the day in the rocky hills.

Diet

African Wild Ass eat almost any type of vegetation from grasses to thorny acacia bushes, and they can go without water for several days.

Breeding



Predators

Humans are the main threat to the African Wild Ass. They are hunted for food and traditional medicines and interbreeding between wild and domestic animals has lead to a decline in population numbers.

Subspecies

Subspecies of the African Wild Ass include:

Nubian Wild Ass
(Equus africanus africanus)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Somali Wild Ass
(Equus africanus somalicus)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Interesting Facts

Approximately 570 African Wild Ass exist in the wild.

The African Wild Ass was first domesticated about 6,000 years ago.

Similar Animals

Onager
Kiang
Grevy's Zebra
Plains Zebra
Mountain Zebra