Przewalski’s horse
Przewalski’s horse has a very small distribution; one of the smallest of all
animals. It is only found in the Altai Mountains, a mountain chain that
runs through Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia. However, they are
not found in all of these mountains; only those in northern Mongolia.
These are the last remaining species of wild horse, although most people Scientific name: Equus ferus przewalskii.
Distribution: Restricted to the Altai Mountains in
consider it to be simply a subspecies of the domestic horse. Przewalski’s
northern Mongolia.
horse is slightly smaller than domestic horses. With a stocky body,
Habitat: Meadows, moun tain slo pes and semiPrzewalski’s horse usually grows between 4 and 5.5 feet, with its tail
deserts.
Length: 4-6 feet.
reaching between 30 and 35 inches, and weighs a maximum of 650
Weight: 250-650 pounds.
pounds. It usually stands about 4.5 feet tall, but can grow taller.
Color: Adults are usually a shade of brown or
Przewalski’s horse is usually orange-brown in color with a white snout, a
orange-brown with a black “mane”, black tail, black
white underside, rounded ears, black around its legs and distinct black fur legs and white snout. Their faces are darker than
their bodies.
around its upper neck and head that looks somewhat like a lion’s mane.
Similar species: Domestic horse is somewhat
Young calves are a lighter shade of orange-brown with whiter legs. Their
similar.
manes start to grow in
Food: Grass, shrubs, leaves, twigs, bud s, fruit and
around 4 years of age.
other various plants.
Predators: Occasionly taken by wolves and bears.
Like other horses,
Life span: 10-25 years.
Przewalski’s horses are
Adaptations: Long legs, strong hooves, stomach
herbivores, feeding
acids.
exclusively on plants,
Interesting fact: Przewalski’s horses are the last
living wild horses.
primarily grasses, shrubs,
Status: Critically endangered.
leaves, twigs, buds, fruit
and other vegetation. They have specially designed stomach acids
that can break down harsh plants and make them more suitable to
digest. Although they are large animals, and can provide enough meat for a family of predators, there are no large
animals within its distribution that would kill, attack or prey on Przewalski’s horse. There are occasionly wolves and
bears in the Altai Mountains, but they will not usually take prey as large as Przewalski’s horse, only smaller
animals, that do not live with others of its kind. Its only threat is man. Although they have not been fully
domesticated, there are 1500 found in captivity worldwide, with between 150 and 250 individuals in the wild. In
the wild, Przewalski’s horse lives in small, permanent family groups consisting of one male, between 2 and 3
females, and their offspring. It has a complex system of communicating, using kicking, grooming, scent marking
and eye contact. During the day, when the heat reaches
its peak, The male, which is the leader of the group,
finds a cool, shady spot for the family to rest. There is
no permanent breeding season for Przewalski’s horse.
Mating may take at anytime of the year. When the
female gives birth, there is usually between 1 and 3
calves born. At this time, they are very dependent on
their mothers, who must feed them frequently. This is
the only time in the horse’s life that it is very vulnerable
to predators.