Zoology of the African Wild Ass

Zoology - Anatomy

The average weight of the African Wild Ass is 275kg, for both males and females.

The African Wild Ass is usually seen with short, smooth brown and gray coats with a dark stripe down it's back

The African Wild Ass can live up to 25-30 years

Zoology - Behavior

Wild Asses show different social organization depending on the environment

In wetter habitats, they form longer term stable harem groups of bonded females and one or more adult males

In arid habitats, the only stable groups are a female and her recent foal

Zoology - Reproduction

• In Drier Regions:
• The Males would control the access to resources females need, like water
• African Wild Asses are Able to access females in estrus
• In Wetter Areas:
• Donkey stallions would have a group of females that he would defend from outside males
• (Horses and plains zebras also have this mating system)
• Donkey males in estreus outside a Donkeys territory may attract a number of males who fight but may all mate with her
• Females stand with hind legs apart and tall held to the side

Zoology - Mating

• The males would sniff the female
• Then the female kicks toward the male and travels forwrad, the male Donkey would then follow
• Stallion follows, driving her for an average distance of 20m (65.6ft)

• Tame and feral donkeys and onager males all drive or chase the females a certain distance before mating
• When females halts, the male mounts, and he copulates