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Equus kiang
Kiang also known as Tibetan Ass or Asiatic Ass (Equus kiang) is a species that possess a keen eyesight and well-developed sense of smell. It feeds on grass and herbs. The genders are alike and weigh between 250 – 380 kg / 551 – 838 lbs., adding about 10 kg / 22 lbs. fat towards winter. Longevity is reported to be about 20 years. A social animal, it lives mostly in sexually separated hordes of 10 – 40 individuals. Actively grazes throughout the day and can stay without water for quite some time. When alarmed, the entire group flees in a straight gallop (easily reaching the speed of 60km / 37 miles per hour).
Found in high altitude, open bleak semi-deserts, steppes, grassy rolling tablelands and soft sandy slopes, often near marshes or springs. Resident throughout east and north Ladakh can be found between 4, 000 – 5, 200m / 13, 123 – 17, 060 ft. altitudes, occasionally even higher. The species however moves considerably back and forth across the Tibetan border, very often related to direct disturbance and human presence/absence. An estimated more than 2000 kiang are surviving in Ladakh.
Natural predators include mainly wolf and Tibetan wild-dog, which hunts foals, old and injured or sick animals. This photo shot in the army restricted wetlands of Ladakh.
40 Comments (1–25)
Omg what an incredibly cute and beautiful animal. I've never seen one before. Thank you for sharing it. The photo itself is also very beautiful.
Excellent photograph and subject!
It's very unfortunate that species such as the kiang are becoming endangered if not already. The Grevy's zebra and Prezaski's wild horse are also incredible specimen falling in numbers. Thanks for pic!
Great shot! Looks artistic!
What a wonderful first spotting on Noah - welcome!
Beautiful shot
How did I miss this one! Congratulations on the SOTD. Beautiful picture and animal.
Awesome capture Sanjukta Dey,congrats on the SOTD and thanks for sharing
Run Kiang run.. run forever..... with gay abandon.... Very beautiful photo Sanjukta... Loved it!!!
congratz!fantastic!
ohh... superb... congrats for SOTD.. :)
Congratulations on your SOTD! Truly a beautiful shot!
Thanks Seema Swami, LaurenZarate, Jonathan Sequeira, Carol Snow Mine, Pradeep Kumar.
Congrats on the SOTD ! :)
Congratulations! Awesome photo and animal!
Estupenda foto ....
Congratulations Sanjukta, a very striking picture and he looks healthy and happy.
Congratulations Sanjukta !!
@ Reza Hasemizadeh, Saumya Wanniarachchi: Thanks folks.
Congrats on the SOTD ! :)
Congratulation on your outstanding SotD, and Welcome to Project Noah !
@ DanielePralong: Thanks once again. Hope I'll be able to make some worthwhile contributions.
Congratulations Sanjukta, and again welcome to Project Noah! This is an awesome capture.
@ Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman, LuisStevens: Thanks folks.
Congrats Sanjukta on the SODT! Your photo gives the impression of space and freedom.