The Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii or Equus ferus przewalskii) is also called the Mongolian Wild Horse or Dzungarian Horse. It is a rare and endangered horse. It may never have been domesticated and is considered to be the only true wild horse in the world. Every Przewalski’s Horse living in the world today is descended from 9 of 13 horses captured in 1945 in Mongolia.
The Przewalski’s Horse has a stocky build with short legs. Its coat is tan or light-brown with dark-brown around its mane. It has a yellowish-white belly and nose. Its mane is short and erect. Its legs are faintly striped. Its hooves are longer in the back and have a thick sole.
Przewalski’s Horse
The Przewalski’s Horse has 66 chromosomes, compared to 64 chromosomes in all other horses.
It measures 12-14 hands, which is 122-142 centimetres (48-56 inches) tall. Its tail is about 90 centimetres (35 inches) long.
The Przewalski’s Horse is native to the central Asia steppes, particularly Mongolia.
It eats vegetation, such as plants. In winter, its metabolic rate slows down, and it eats more slowly.
It lives in small groups of one adult male (stallion), 1-3 females (mares), and their young (foals).
The female Przewalski’s Horse is pregnant for 11-12 months before giving birth to one live foal. The foal is precocial, which means that it has hair and can walk soon after birth. The foal drinks milk from the mother.
Przewalski’s Horse
Przewalski’s Horse
Przewalski’s Horse
Przewalski’s Horse
[Location of photographs: Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia and Paris Jardin du Plantes Zoo, France]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM