Mammals
Onager
Equus hemionus · also called Asiatic wild ass, khulan, kulan
Across the Gobi at a gallop, a herd of khulan streams over the sand at speeds that outrun nearly any pursuer, wild asses of Asia’s open deserts.
Overview
The onager, Equus hemionus, is an Endangered wild ass of Asia’s deserts and steppes, from Iran and Turkmenistan to Mongolia and western India. Its speed, many local names, and shrinking range make it one of the best-known wild equids of the continent.
A wild ass of the open desert
With little cover to hide in, the onager relies on speed and endurance to escape predators and to reach distant water.
Status
Endangered, with a decreasing population.
Onager: common questions
What is an onager?
It is the Asiatic wild ass, known by local names such as khulan in Mongolia, kulan in Central Asia, and khur in India.
How fast is the onager?
It is one of the fastest wild equids, able to run at speeds of up to about 70 km/h.
Why is the onager endangered?
It has declined across much of its range because of hunting and competition with livestock.
Where does the onager live?
It lives in deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes from Iran and Turkmenistan across Central Asia to Mongolia and western India.