The kiang, Equus kiang, is the largest wild ass in the world, standing about 140 centimetres at the shoulder, with a body length near 210 centimetres and a weight of roughly 250 to 440 kilograms. Its coat is reddish in summer and dark brown in winter, and its short ears and large tail tuft make it look more like a horse than other asses. It lives on the Tibetan highlands of China, Nepal and India, in alpine grasslands at 4000 to 7000 metres where it prefers dry open desert, semidesert and steppe. Kiangs form cohesive family groups led by an old female and are mainly active and feeding at night. They have been hunted for meat and skins, and habitat loss and competition with livestock could put them at risk. The species is listed as least concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) ThreatsAgriculture and Aquaculture 1 ThreatsBiological Resource Use 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
Equidae, Taxa Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
Equus, Taxa Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
In Biome
Desert, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
Steppe, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)Geographic RangeQuote, Geographic Range
are wildly distributed in Tibet, Tsinghai and Szechwan regions of China, Nepal, and India.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)Geographic RangeQuote, Geographic Range
are wildly distributed in Tibet, Tsinghai and Szechwan regions of China, Nepal, and India.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)Geographic RangeQuote, Geographic Range
are wildly distributed in Tibet, Tsinghai and Szechwan regions of China, Nepal, and India.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web: Equus kiang (Kiang)
Conservation Status, IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List Least Concern
Food Habits
Primary Diet herbivore herbivore folivore folivore
Habitat
live in alpine grass lands of elevation range from 4000 m to 7000 m.
Geographic Range
are wildly distributed in Tibet, Tsinghai and Szechwan regions of China, Nepal, and India.
Conservation Status
However, habitat loss and competition for food sources with livestocks could put them at risk.
Conservation Status, poaching
In some areas, poaching pressure still exists.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The wild asses are hunted for meat and for their skins, which are used for making leather.
Physical Description, body weight
body weights are 250 to 440 kg
Behavior
They are active nocturnally and they feed primarily at night.
Lifespan/Longevity
About 20 years.
Child Taxon Of: Equidae, Scientific Classification
Family Equidae asses, horses, and zebras
Child Taxon Of: Equus, Scientific Classification
Genus Equus asses, horses, and zebras
In Group: Odd-Toed Ungulates (Perissodactyla), Scientific Classification
Order Perissodactyla horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs
View the Source2. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Equus kiang
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 30.1 years (captivity)
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