Persian Onager Equus hemionus onager
Description
The Persian onager has a weight of 440 to 575 pounds and a height of approximately 50 inches at the shoulder. Their legs and belly are usually light beige or tan with darker markings on the neck and sides. There is a dark brown stripe along the back. They have a short (2 to 3 inch) mane, and have tails with a small tuft of hair at the end.
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Range
Mongolia to Saudi Arabia and as far north as southern Russia and Kazakhstan. Northwestern India, Tibet, and Iran.
Habitat
The Persian Onager inhabits mountain steppes, semi-desert or desert plains with hot days and cool nights
Gestation
11 months
Litter
1
Behavior
Persian Onagers are most active at dawn and dusk. They get most of their water from food but live near water if possible. A territorial system is common, with males guarding prime territories and females moving among guarded territories depending on habitat and male preference. Immature males sometimes form all male groups.
Reproduction
Reproduction in Persian Onagers is seasonal with births between April and September in North America. Males and females reach sexual maturity at about 2 years. Males do not usually breed until about 4 years of age.
Diet (Wild)
They eat mainly grasses. In the dry season, they break woody plants with their hooves for succulent portions and seed pods. They also may dig up to 2 feet deep for water
Diet (Zoo)
Herbivore pellet and hay
Conservation Status
Endangered
Primary Threats
Human Wildlife Coexistence, Climate Change
