Mammals · Perissodactyla · Equidae

Kiang

Equus kiang

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The kiang is the largest of the wild asses and a characteristic inhabitant of the Tibetan plateau. It has a reddish chestnut coat with white belly and legs, a large head and a dark, erect mane. It grazes tough high-altitude grasses and makes seasonal movements following the growth of the pasture. It forms herds of females and young led by an experienced mare, while adult males are solitary or form separate groups. Its main pressure today is competition with domestic livestock.

Weight

250 kg – 400 kg

Size

1.8 m – 2.2 m

Lifespan

20 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

MountainGrasslandHerbivore Diurnal Nocturnal Mountain Grassland Mammal

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Fun facts

GeneralThe largest wild ass; it forms herds that run in tight formation.
It is the largest wild ass in the world and one of the highest-living large mammals: it is regularly seen grazing above 5,000 metres.
It swims well and crosses the plateau's glacial rivers without hesitation, even in the strong current of the thaw, which is uncommon among horses and asses.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Alpine steppe and grassland of the Tibetan Plateau, between 2,700 and 5,400 metres in altitude
Sexual maturity: 2.7 years
Gestation / incubation: 9.8 months
Litter / clutch size: 1

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equus_kiang