Description: Przewalski's wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii) is a stout, pony-like horse that stands about 122cm (4ft) at the shoulders and weighs between 200kg-300kg (440lbs-660lbs). It has a long, broad head, powerful jaws, and a stiff black mane. Its ears are long and stand up straight (Source: Luu).
The color of Przewalski's wild horse varies throughout the year. In warmer months, their coat is beige, brown, or dun. Their belly and muzzle are paler. The tale and mane are dark brown or black. In colder months their coat lightens (Source: 'Przewalski's').
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Perissodactyla
- Family: Equidae
- Genus: Equus
- Species: Equus caballus przewalskii (Source: Luu)
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Habitat: Plains and arid grasslands up to elevations of eight thousand feet (Source: Luu).
Range: Altai Mountains in Mongolia. Northern China (Source: Luu).
Diet: Herbivorous. Diet includes grass, plants, fruit. Occasionally eats bark, leaves and buds (Source: Luu).
Status: Previously extinct in wild. Survived only in captivity until they were reintroduced in the wild. In 1992, 16 horses were released into national parks in Mongolia. Now wild populations are up to several hundred individuals (Source: Wilford).
Sources:
- 'Przewalski's Horse' (On-line), Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Accessed October 18, 2005.
- Burnie, D. and D.E. Wilson. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. London. 2001.
- Luu, J. 2002. 'Equus caballus przewalskii' (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 18, 2005.
- Wilford, J.N. 2005. 'Foal by Foal, the Wildest of Horses Is Coming Back' (On-line), The New York Times. Accessed October 18, 2005.
