Equus hemionus onager
onager

Onagers, Equus hemionus onager, are found from Mongolia to Saudi Arabia and as far north as southern Russia and Kazakhstan. Some also inhabit northwestern India and Tibet. They have been reintroduced in Mongolia and Iran. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

The flat regions of the deserts and surrounding foothills are home to E. hemionus onager. These barren deserts are a harsh environment and receive very little rainfall each year. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; Moehlman and Feh, 2004; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

In comparison with other Asiatic wild asses, E. hemionus onager is slightly smaller with a paler coat. Onagers have a pale sandy-red colored coat with a light brown dorsal stripe. The dorsal stripe has two surrounding white strips that blend into the lighter colored hind quarters. In addition to the dorsal stripe, onagers also have a shoulder stripe. The flanks, back and underside of onagers are white. In the winter, the coat grows longer and turns grayer and the white parts become more defined. Males and females differ only slightly outwardly, with males being only slightly larger. Males stand 1.5 meters at the shoulder and are about 2 meters in length, weighing about 250 kilograms. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004)

The maximum lifespan of E. hemionus onager is reported to be approximately 40 years. However, whether this information is based on wild or captive animals is not known. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004)

Equus hemionus onager usually lives in herds, with the exception of older stallions, who can be found living alone. Mares live with their foals in herds made up entirely of other females and young. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003)

Data specific to onagers is difficult to find, because of their debated taxonomic status. However, it is reasonable to assume that these animals are similar to E. hemionus, since they are sometimes placed in the same species. With that in mind, the following information on E. hemionus is provided.

Herd size may vary. In E. hemionus, average herds contain between 10 and 20 animals, with one male and many females. However, in some ecological conditions, pressure from predators causes small single male groups to come together. (Nowak, 1999)

Onagers are reported to be crepuscular. However, E. hemionus is reported to be primarily diurnal, feeding during the day and bedding down at night, with some populations feeding at night. (Nowak, 1999)

Equus hemionus is able to reach top speeds of about 70 km/hour, and can run at a sustained speed of 50 km/hour. It is likely that onagers are similar in their ability to attain such speeds. (Nowak, 1999)

Home Range

Because of the harsh conditions that the desert presents, E. hemionus onager must stay within 20 kilometers of a water source. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; Nowak, 1999)

Equus hemionus onager has strong senses with an extremely keen sense of smell. Like other members of the genus Equus, onagers have vocal, tactile and chemical communication. In addition, visual signals may be important. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; Nowak, 1999)

Onagers are herbivores that feed on the scarce plant life in the desert. Foods of these animals include grasses, bushes, herbs and foliage. Onagers receive most of their water from their food, but must remain close to a site of open water. Grazing time for onager sis usually during the cooler part of the day such as morning and evening. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; Moehlman and Feh, 2004; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

Equus hemionus onager has no natural predators other than humans. This species is being driven to extinction due to hunting, competition for food and water with livestock, and loss of natural habitat. Onagers have a well developed sense of smell and can detect potential predators, such as humans, from a far distance. Onagers are also very fast, with the ability to run 60 to 70 kilometers per hour over short distances, and 40 to 50 kilometers per hour for several hours at a time. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; "UNEP-WCMC Species Database: CITES-Listed Species", 2004; Bennett, 1980; Moehlman and Feh, 2004; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

Grazing by E. hemionus onager impacts vegetation communities in which they live. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004)

Although there is no apparent direct negative economic impact that this species has on humans, it is possible that these wild asses compete with livestock for water and scarce food resources. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003)

Onagers have been hunted by humans in the past for their flesh and hides. However, in 1971, E. hemionus onager became a protected species in Iran and hunting it is prohibited year-round. ("Iran Nature and Wildlife Magazine", 2004; "IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; Moehlman and Feh, 2004)

IUCN estimates 144 onagers remaining with the rate of decline at 28% over the last three generations. ("IUCN SSC Equid Specialist Group", 2003; "UNEP-WCMC Species Database: CITES-Listed Species", 2004; Moehlman and Feh, 2004)

Onagers are reported to have a bad temperment, which makes them unsuitable as work-a-day domestic animals. However, the ancient Roman Legions are thought to have used these animals to pull their war machines. Onagers were previously considered a species, Equus onager, but have since been included as a subspecies of kulans, Equus hemionus. (AZA Taxon Advisory Group, unknown)