The African Wild AssBy; Randy Barnes3/25/11Mrs.Dunnavant Ecology

Names

•Common name; African Wild Ass•Scientific name; Equus asinus

Habitat

•Hilly terrain•Rocky desert•Temperate grasslands•Desert

Location of where they live

•Ethiopia•Eritrea•Somalia•They once ranged from Sudan, Israel, and

Egypt

Why they are Endangered

•Over hunting•Loss of habitat•Competition with domestic livestock

Diet

•Grasses•Bark•Leaves

Size

•Shoulder height; 125 cm •Body length; 200 cm•They look like a small horse with a big

head that is really stocky

Reproduction

•Females reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years old

•Breeding occurs during wet season•Births occur mainly between October and

February•Give birth to one foal every other year•Lifespan; 25-30 years •Gestation period; 1 year

Population

•400 live in Eritrea•Fewer than 160 in Ethiopia•Less than 10 in Somalia•1500 in Sudan but may be feral

Conservation efforts

•Protected by law in •Somalia•Sudan•Ethiopia•Illegal hunting still occurs•Live in many nature reserves but live

stock still compete with them there

Interesting Facts

•Only bond is between mother and foal•Need to drink water at least every three

days•Ancestors of domestic

Pictures

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Works cited

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=13http://animal.discovery.com/guides/endangered/endangered.html

Quiz

•How long is the gestation period of the wild ass?

•How long can the wild ass go without drinking water?

•How many wild asses live in Ethiopia? •What is one place that they are protected? •What kind of animal does it resemble?