Habitat:

Once found in western Mongolia and northern China. Programs in Asia and Australia have reintroduced horses into Mongolia. They originally roamed mountainous, arid, semi-desert country with large grassy plains.

 Description:

Stocky body; low set shoulders which blend directly into the back, giving the horse a primitive look. Yellowish-brown coat, paler undersides, pale sandy-coloured muzzle, black tail and lower leg. Coat colour varies by individual and time of year. The mane has no forelock but has short, stiff, black hairs which stand upright. The average height to the withers is 12 hands (i.e. 1.2m to shoulders), and the horse weighs about 350kgs.

Status:

Endangered

Interesting facts:

• Group Structure: The Mongolian Wild Horse lives in small herds comprising of mares, young and a stallion although bachelor groups exist.
• They are the only truly wild horse left in the world.
• The indigenous Mongolian people know them by the name of ‘Takhi’.
• They have 66 chromosomes, two more than domestic horses.
• Diet: They are grazers and eat grass and leaves from shrubby trees.
• Reproduction: After 11 - 12 month pregnancy, a female gives birth to a single offspring.
• The young can stand as soon as an hour after being born.
• Lifespan: 20 - 25 years.