Britannica AI Icon

Asiatic wild ass

mammal
Also known as: Asian wild ass, Equus hemionus, half-ass

Quick Summary

The Asiatic wild ass, also known as the onager or half-ass, is a species of wild ass native to Asia. These mammals are pale-colored with short, erect manes and large ears. They are adapted to arid environments, inhabiting deserts and semidesert regions.123

Historically, Asiatic wild asses were domesticated for work but were eventually replaced by horses and donkeys. Today, several subspecies, such as the Persian onager and the Indian wild ass, are critically endangered due to habitat loss and competition for resources.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.