Somali wild ass
This Somali wild ass lives at Africa Alive at Kessingland in Suffolk.
Wild asses have been an important part of Africa's history. The Egyptians domesticated asses more than 6,000 years ago. Their images have been painted in caves by ancient peoples in North Africa, and, at one time, sultans of the area ordered a man's hand cut off if he killed a wild ass.
The Somali wild ass is found in Somalia, the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea and the Afar Region of Ethiopia. They have a soft grey body, white belly, spiky upright black and grey mane and unique black- and white stripes on their legs that hint to their zebra family connections. Their small, narrow hooves allow the ass move quickly and safely through its stony habitat. Adults average 6ft 6in. (2 m) in length and stand between 4 to 5ft. (1.22 to 1.53 m) tall at the shoulder. Their average weight is 605 lb. (275 kg).
Native to rocky desert, the animal has to deal with extremely high temperatures. Their large ears not only help them pick up sounds, they assist with the dissipation of heat. A wild ass can lose almost one-third of its body weight in water and still survive. They rest under any shade they can find until the temperature cools down in the late afternoon and evening and graze in the early morning hours.
All wild asses are herbivores. They grazing on grasses, but they also eat scrub, bark, and tough desert plants. Their upper and lower incisor teeth clip grass and other vegetation, molars help to grind the rough food before it's swallowed.
Somali wild asses often live alone due to the lack of food to be found in their environment. Small herds do exist, though, usually comprised of mares and their offspring. Occasionally, larger groups form during the wet season when food and water are more plentiful. This is also when foals are born.
Usually 1 foal is born every other year. At birth it will weigh between 50 to 60 lb. (23 to 27 kg). Foals are able to follow their mother within a few hours after birth, and usually by the time they are one year old, they are half grown, weaned, and no longer need their mother. The foal can expect to live for up to 40 years.
Wild asses are intelligent creatures, with excellent vision and hearing. They'd rather run from predators than fight. If cornered, though, they can kick hard to protect themselves. One swift kick from a sharp hoof is enough to drive away most predators, such as wolves.
There are likely fewer than 1,000 animals in the wild and as of 2011, there were about 200 individuals in captivity around the world. Political unrest, encroachment of their land and water sources by domestic herds, poaching, and a general lack of concern for their welfare are all major threats to the wild asses. Another problem is Somali wild ass will mate with domestic donkeys and this is a serious threat to the gene pool of the wild ass species.
The conservation status of this animal is 'Critically Endangered'.
Somali wild ass
This Somali wild ass lives at Africa Alive at Kessingland in Suffolk.
Wild asses have been an important part of Africa's history. The Egyptians domesticated asses more than 6,000 years ago. Their images have been painted in caves by ancient peoples in North Africa, and, at one time, sultans of the area ordered a man's hand cut off if he killed a wild ass.
The Somali wild ass is found in Somalia, the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea and the Afar Region of Ethiopia. They have a soft grey body, white belly, spiky upright black and grey mane and unique black- and white stripes on their legs that hint to their zebra family connections. Their small, narrow hooves allow the ass move quickly and safely through its stony habitat. Adults average 6ft 6in. (2 m) in length and stand between 4 to 5ft. (1.22 to 1.53 m) tall at the shoulder. Their average weight is 605 lb. (275 kg).
Native to rocky desert, the animal has to deal with extremely high temperatures. Their large ears not only help them pick up sounds, they assist with the dissipation of heat. A wild ass can lose almost one-third of its body weight in water and still survive. They rest under any shade they can find until the temperature cools down in the late afternoon and evening and graze in the early morning hours.
All wild asses are herbivores. They grazing on grasses, but they also eat scrub, bark, and tough desert plants. Their upper and lower incisor teeth clip grass and other vegetation, molars help to grind the rough food before it's swallowed.
Somali wild asses often live alone due to the lack of food to be found in their environment. Small herds do exist, though, usually comprised of mares and their offspring. Occasionally, larger groups form during the wet season when food and water are more plentiful. This is also when foals are born.
Usually 1 foal is born every other year. At birth it will weigh between 50 to 60 lb. (23 to 27 kg). Foals are able to follow their mother within a few hours after birth, and usually by the time they are one year old, they are half grown, weaned, and no longer need their mother. The foal can expect to live for up to 40 years.
Wild asses are intelligent creatures, with excellent vision and hearing. They'd rather run from predators than fight. If cornered, though, they can kick hard to protect themselves. One swift kick from a sharp hoof is enough to drive away most predators, such as wolves.
There are likely fewer than 1,000 animals in the wild and as of 2011, there were about 200 individuals in captivity around the world. Political unrest, encroachment of their land and water sources by domestic herds, poaching, and a general lack of concern for their welfare are all major threats to the wild asses. Another problem is Somali wild ass will mate with domestic donkeys and this is a serious threat to the gene pool of the wild ass species.
The conservation status of this animal is 'Critically Endangered'.