| Nubian Wild Ass | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Equidae |
| Genus: | Equus |
| Species: | E. africanus |
| Subspecies: | E. a. africanus |
| Trinomial name | |
| Equus africanus africanus (von Heuglin & Fitzinger, 1866)[2] |
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The Nubian Wild Ass (Equus africanus africanus) is a subspecies of the African wild ass, and probably the ancestor of domestic donkeys, since both have a stripe across the shoulder. The ass was domesticated about 6,000 years ago, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia.
The Nubian wild ass is most likely extinct in the wild since the 1950s. However, the IUCN Red List [1] still mentions it as critically endangered. It is closely related to the Somali wild ass, which is also on the brink of extinction in the wild.
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The Nubian wild ass is known for its stamina. It has a slender body and a stripe across the shoulder. Its head is rather large, with two long slender ears. The shoulder height of the Nubian wild ass is about 120 centimeters. Skin color varies from light brown to gray.
Nubian wild asses used to live in the northeast of Africa, ranging from mountains and rocky areas to semideserts and grasslands. Feeding occurs during the night and early morning. The diet includes grasses and types of forbs. During the heat of day, the Nubian wild ass takes refuge in the shade.
Males tend to live alone or in small groups. Females and young animals live in herds. There is no strict hierarchy in the herd, and when fights erupt, the animals kick and bite each other.
After almost a year of gestation, the female typically gives birth to one foal. The mother and foal separate themselves from the herd until the foal is able to recognize its mother.