Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Somali wild ass
The Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) is a subspecies of the African wild ass.
The legs of the Somali wild ass are striped, resembling those of its relatives, the zebras. There are estimated to be 600 specimens living in the wild. They live in Somalia, Somaliland, the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, and the Afar Region of Ethiopia. In addition, an estimated 200 specimens live in captivity in zoos worldwide.
The IUCN Red List of endangered species described it as "critically endangered", and they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Due to the limited resources found in their habitat, Somali wild asses live in a fission–fusion society. Most adults live alone, but sometimes form small herds consisting of females and their young. In areas that have more resources, or have more rain, they will sometimes fuse together to form larger temporary herds. Stallions can maintain territories as large as nine square miles. They frequently leave dung piles as markers to remind them of their territory's boundaries. While females are welcome in their territories, stallions will often fight other males who try to mate with females in their territories. However, stallions have been observed allowing males into their territories for grazing, as long as they show no interest in his harem.
Somali wild asses typically give birth in the spring, a common characteristic among equids, after a year-long gestation. Within hours, the foal is up on its legs and keeping up with its mother. At around five days old, the foal is already nibbling grass. By the time its two weeks old, the foal is grazing regularly, however, still depending on its mother's milk for fluids. The foal is weaned by 12 to 14 months, but still stays close to its mother, only leaving to play or feed with the other foals in the herd.
The leading zoo for breeding the Somali wild ass is Zoo Basel, Switzerland. Its breeding program manages the European studbook for the Somali wild ass and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) as well as the global species committee of the Somali Wild Ass since 2004.
Zoo Basel started keeping Somali wild asses in 1970 and had its first birth in 1972. As of 2009, 11 stallions and 24 mares were born and survived to adulthood. Today, all Somali wild asses in captivity are related to the original group at Zoo Basel. As of January 18, 2012, there were four Somali wild asses in Basel: The stallion "Gigolo" and three females, among them "Yogala".
Since 1987, the Réserve Africaine de Sigean, in the south of France, has had several Somali wild asses, with births occurring on June 30, 2010, and on March 29, 2013.
Hub AI
Somali wild ass AI simulator
(@Somali wild ass_simulator)
Somali wild ass
The Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) is a subspecies of the African wild ass.
The legs of the Somali wild ass are striped, resembling those of its relatives, the zebras. There are estimated to be 600 specimens living in the wild. They live in Somalia, Somaliland, the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, and the Afar Region of Ethiopia. In addition, an estimated 200 specimens live in captivity in zoos worldwide.
The IUCN Red List of endangered species described it as "critically endangered", and they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Due to the limited resources found in their habitat, Somali wild asses live in a fission–fusion society. Most adults live alone, but sometimes form small herds consisting of females and their young. In areas that have more resources, or have more rain, they will sometimes fuse together to form larger temporary herds. Stallions can maintain territories as large as nine square miles. They frequently leave dung piles as markers to remind them of their territory's boundaries. While females are welcome in their territories, stallions will often fight other males who try to mate with females in their territories. However, stallions have been observed allowing males into their territories for grazing, as long as they show no interest in his harem.
Somali wild asses typically give birth in the spring, a common characteristic among equids, after a year-long gestation. Within hours, the foal is up on its legs and keeping up with its mother. At around five days old, the foal is already nibbling grass. By the time its two weeks old, the foal is grazing regularly, however, still depending on its mother's milk for fluids. The foal is weaned by 12 to 14 months, but still stays close to its mother, only leaving to play or feed with the other foals in the herd.
The leading zoo for breeding the Somali wild ass is Zoo Basel, Switzerland. Its breeding program manages the European studbook for the Somali wild ass and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) as well as the global species committee of the Somali Wild Ass since 2004.
Zoo Basel started keeping Somali wild asses in 1970 and had its first birth in 1972. As of 2009, 11 stallions and 24 mares were born and survived to adulthood. Today, all Somali wild asses in captivity are related to the original group at Zoo Basel. As of January 18, 2012, there were four Somali wild asses in Basel: The stallion "Gigolo" and three females, among them "Yogala".
Since 1987, the Réserve Africaine de Sigean, in the south of France, has had several Somali wild asses, with births occurring on June 30, 2010, and on March 29, 2013.