LibGuides: Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) Fact Sheet: Summary

Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) Fact Sheet

Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii)

Taxonomy	Physical Characteristics
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodctyla Family: Equidae — horses, asses, zebras Genus: Equus — horses Species: Equus ferus — wild horse, Eurasian wild horse Subspecies: Equus ferus przewalkskii — Przewalski's horse	Body Weight 200-300 kg (400-700 lb) Body Length Male: 1.42 m (4.65 ft) Female: 1.37 m (4.50 ft) Tail Length 90 cm (3 ft), average Pelage Two color types: bright yellowish-red-brown and pale grey-yellow. Mane dark brown (stands upright with no forelock). Thin stripes on legs.
Distribution & Status	Behavior & Ecology
Range Mongolia and northwestern China Habitat Semi-arid and steppe grasslands; semi-desert habitats IUCN Status Endangered (2014 assessment) CITES Appendix Appendix I Populations Free-roaming and semi-wild: approximately 1,200 individuals Managed care: approximately 640 individuals	Activity Cycle Little known; some studies from managed care. Social Groups Engage in mutual grooming. Little known about wild herd dynamics. Dominant stallion leads harem group. Diet Wild populations: opportunistically feed on wild grasses and other vegetation within the limits of their habitats (constrained by agriculture). Managed care: hay and water requirements similar to those of domestic horses. Predators Wolves
Reproduction & Development	Species Highlights
Sexual Maturity 4-5 years old; may be earlier or later Gestation About 320-343 days Litter Size 1 foal Birth Weight Approximately 30 kg (66 lb) Age at Weaning Varies Typical Life Expectancy Wild populations: unknown Managed care: median life expectancy of about 18 years	Feature Facts Last surviving wild horse (not descended from domestic horses) Named for a Russian explorer, who collected an early specimen Grow thick, warm coats to cope with cold winters of Mongolia and China Members of a herd spend a lot of time grooming each other Communicate through a variety of vocalizations Dramatic population declines during World War II Extinct in the wild by late 1960s. Reintroduced after successful breeding programs in managed care. All descended from 12-16 founding individuals. World-renowned breeding program at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. More than 130 foals born since mid-1970s.

About This Fact Sheet

How to cite: Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) Fact Sheet. c2008-2021. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; [accessed YYYY Mmm dd]. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ przewalskishorse
(Note: replace YYYY Mmm dd with date accessed, e.g., 2015 Sep 10)

Disclaimer: Although San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every attempt to provide accurate information, some of the facts provided may become outdated or replaced by new research findings. Questions and comments may be addressed to library@sdzwa.org.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Amanda Lussier who shared her knowledge of Przewalski’s Horse husbandry for the Managed Care section of this fact sheet.

Amanda Lussier, Senior Keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, has been working with Przewalski’s horses since 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a Master’s degree in Biology, with particularly research interests in hoofstock social structure and dynamics. She is particularly interested in applying knowledge of herd animals in human care to protect wild populations.

Amanda most admires Przewalski’s horses for their strength, spirit, and sweet yet wild temperament.

Close Contact

Przewalski's horses are highly social, spending much of their day feeding, grooming, and in close contact with one another.

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