- Nubian Wild Ass
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Nubian Wild Ass Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: E. africanus Subspecies: E. a. africanus Trinomial name Equus africanus africanus
(von Heuglin & Fitzinger, 1866)[2]The Nubian Wild Ass (Equus africanus africanus) is a subspecies of the African wild ass, and probably the ancestor of domestic donkeys,[citation needed] since both have a stripe across the shoulder. The ass was domesticated about 6,000 years ago, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia.
The Nubian wild ass is most likely extinct in the wild since the 1950s.[citation needed] However, the IUCN Red List [1] still mentions it as critically endangered. It is closely related to the Somali wild ass, which is also on the brink of extinction in the wild.
Contents
Characteristics
The Nubian wild ass is known for its stamina. It has a slender body and a stripe across the shoulder. Its head is rather large, with two long slender ears. The shoulder height of the Nubian wild ass is about 120 centimeters. Skin color varies from light brown to gray.
Ecology
Nubian wild asses used to live in the northeast of Africa, ranging from mountains and rocky areas to semideserts and grasslands. Feeding occurs during the night and early morning. The diet includes grasses and types of forbs. During the heat of day, the Nubian wild ass takes refuge in the shade.
Lifestyle
Males tend to live alone or in small groups. Females and young animals live in herds. There is no strict hierarchy in the herd, and when fights erupt, the animals kick and bite each other.
Reproduction
After almost a year of gestation, the female typically gives birth to one foal. The mother and foal separate themselves from the herd until the foal is able to recognize its mother.
References
- ^ a b Equid Specialist Group (1996). Equus africanus ssp. africanus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 18 May 2008.
- ^ (German) Heuglin Th. v & Fitzinger L. J. (1866). "Systematische Übersicht der Säugethiere Nordost-Afrika’s mit Einschluß der arabischen Küste, des rothen Meeres, der Somáli- und der Nilquellen-Länder, südwärts bis zum vierten Grade nördlicher Breite. Von Dr Theodor v. Heuglin. Nach brieflichen Mittheilungen und den Original-Exemplaren des Herrn Verfassers ergänzt und mit Zusätzen versehen von dem w. M. Dr Leopold Joseph Fitzinger". Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Abt. 1. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse 54: 537-611.
External links
- Nubian Wild Ass at the St. Louis Zoo
- Nubian Wild Ass at IUCN Red List
Species of the genus Equus Extinct species are marked †Equus africanus · Equus africanus africanus · Equus africanus asinus · †Equus africanus atlanticus · Equus africanus somaliensis · †Equus complicatus · †Equus conversidens · †Equus crinidens · †Equus cumminsii · †Equus excelsus · Equus ferus · Equus ferus caballus · †Equus ferus ferus · Equus ferus przewalskii · †Equus francisci · †Equus fraternus · †Equus giganteus · Equus grevyi · Equus hemionus · Equus hemionus hemionus · †Equus hemionus hemippus · Equus hemionus khur · Equus hemionus kulan · Equus hemionus luteus · Equus hemionus onager · †Equus hydruntinus · Equus kiang · Equus kiang chu · Equus kiang holdereri · Equus kiang kiang · Equus kiang polyodon · †Equus lambei · †Equus namadicus · †Equus niobrarensis · †Equus occidentalis · †Equus pacificus · †Equus parastylidens · †Equus pectinatus · Equus quagga · Equus quagga burchellii · Equus quagga boehmi · Equus quagga borensis · Equus quagga chapmani · Equus quagga crawshayi · †Equus quagga quagga · †Equus scotti · †Equus simplicidens · †Equus sivalensis · †Equus stenonis · †Equus yunnanensis · Equus zebra · Equus zebra hartmannae · Equus zebra zebra
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