Prezalski Horse Flashcards
Prezalski horse
only true wild horse
distribution
wild horses that once roamed throughout europe and asia
today they are found on reserves in mongolia and china and in zoos
habitat
they originally roamed the steppe regions in eurasia, but the last wild herds retreated to the deserts
physical description
550-850 pounds stands 12-14 hands tall at the shoulder tan to reddish brown fur with a white belly, dark brown on the lower legs and mane white muscle stocky legs
diet
in the wild: grasses, leaves, and bark
zoos: hay, grain, vitamin and mineral supplements
prey
wolves
what is their status
they are currently critically endangered and have been reintroduced into the wild; however, they were listed as extinct from the wild in 2008
genetics
they carry genes of 14 founding animals
-due to the loss of genetic diversity
they have 66 chromosomes
-this is 2 more than domestic horses
how many remain in zoos
1500
tame?
they have never been tamed and are the only horse that has never been risen which is why they are the only true wild hourse left
they part in mongolian culture
they are central to mongolian culture and are a symbol of their national heritage
-name=”take” which means spirit
society
they are social animals that gather in herds of 1 stallion, 4-10 mares, and offspring
herds don’t mix but will share territory
stallion is responsible for the herds safety
life cycle
females are sexually mature at about 2 years
males are sexually mature at about 3 years
mating occurs in april-may and foals are born about a year later
crackles
AKA rales
evidence that there is fluid in the airways
two types: fine and coarse
these sounds are a sign of adult respiratory distress syndrome, early congestive heart failure, asthma, and pulmonary edema
wheezes
high-pitched and shrill sounding breath that occurs when the airway becomes narrowed
can be caused by asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic bronchitis, and COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (heaves)
