Przewalski’s Horses By Parth Daga

About Przewalski’s Horses  These horses weigh about 350 kg  Grayish-brown colored  Has a dark stipe along its back and a dark mane  Stocky body and short legs.  Can run up to 40 mph

Behavior Przewalski’s horses mainly eat grasses and other plants, and in captivity the also eat hay and grains. They are first level consumers because they are herbivores. These horses spend most of the day foraging, because the food they eat have a low nutritional content. Their main predators are wolves. The Przewalski’s Horse’s niche is to be a first level consumer that limits the growth of plant population.

Adaptations Przewalski’s Horses have adapted to the environment over time by being able to survive longer periods of time without water, but competition with domestic livestock for food and water has still become one of the main reasons for Przewalski’s horses becoming endangered. Also, these mammals have adapted to avoid predators because of a great sense of alertness, hearing and sight.

Habitat and Range Przewalski’s Horses formerly lived in steppe or semi-desert habitats, but now are only limited to semi-desert or grassland habitats. They also used to live all over Asia and Europe, but now they only exist in certain parts of Mongolia or in captivity. The temperature can get very cold in Mongolia and there is also little sunlight in the winter. Some living factors in the Przewalski’s Horse’s habitat today are wolves, grasses and domesticated animals including deer and other horses Today there are only about 1,500 Przewalski’s Horses left.

Why are Przewalski’s Horses Endangered? Przewalski’s Horses are endangered mainly because of human activities, like hunting and conflict, habitat destruction, and competition with other domesticated livestock. Climate changes and water loss have also played small a part in this. These horses are faced with the threat of hybridization with domestic horses, along with competing for resources with domestic horses.

Reproduction Przewalski’s Horses mate in May and June. Births occur around the same time of the year, because gestation takes about 11 to 12 months. Only one foal is born at a time, and they are able to stand just one hour after birth. Females will come into heat just one week after giving birth and will start mating again.

Why are they a butterfly species? The Przewalski’s horse is a butterfly species because the biotic factors in its habitat and food web/food chain would crash without it. Wolves depend on these horses for food. Other species depend on horses to eat grasses and plants. The Przewalski’s horse plays a vital role in its habitat.

Quick Facts  The Przewalski’s Horse is the only species of true wild horse that is still alive today.  Przewalski’s Horses were completely extinct in the wild from the 1960s to 1995, but were then brought back into the wild in parts of Mongolia.  Przewalski’s Horses are related to the Quagga, the African wild ass, and the Grevy’s zebra

Bibliography Bouman, Inge. "Przewalski's Horse fact file." arkive.org. Arkive, 7 May Web. 28 Jan < przewalskii/ Boyd, L.. "Equus Ferus." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. S.R.B. & King. Web. 28 Jan Cook, James. "Przewalski's Horse." eol.org. EOL, 4 Jan Web. 28 Jan