Once roamed wild and free in an area between the steppes of central Asia, China, and Europe, Przewalski’s Horse is a subspecies of the extinct Equus ferus. Their numbers declined dramatically after World War II.
They are smaller and stocky than domesticated horses with beige to reddish-brown coats. They inhabited steppe and semi-desert habitats in social groups called harems.
After 1969 never again seen in the wild, and then the last native wild populations disappeared. As a part of the conservation attempt, the wild-caught individuals were bred in captivity and reintroduced successfully in Mongolia in the early 21st century.
Limited spatial distribution is the primary threat to the small reintroduced population.
Distribution
China
Kazakhstan
Official estimate
Mongolia
Russia
Official estimate
Ukraine
Official estimate
Did you know?
- Przewalski’s horse’s ancestors were never domesticated.
- They are named after the Russian geographer and explorer Nikolay Przhevalsky.
- Przewalski’s and domestic horses have very few genetic differences.
- At the ‘Endangered Wild Equid Workshop,’ Ulaanbataar (2010), the following threats were identified for the reintroduced population: Loss of population due to stochastic events (i.e., severe winter);Limited habitat and resources (pasture and water);Domestic horses (hybridization, disease, social stress);Lack of information, appreciation/awareness, lack of knowledge and exploitation of resources.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
