Head to head
Onager vs African Wild Ass
Onager
VS African Wild Ass
The onager and African wild ass are wild asses on two continents, both adapted to dry country, but one is a fast runner across Asia and the other the wild ancestor of the donkey, clinging on in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
| Onager | African Wild Ass | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Equus hemionus | Equus africanus |
| Continent and range | Asia, from Iran and Turkmenistan across Central Asia to Mongolia and western India | Africa, in the arid lands of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Domestic link | Not specifically documented | The wild ancestor of the domestic donkey |
| Coat | A sandy to reddish-brown coat with a white belly and a dark stripe along its back | A grey to sandy coat with a pale belly and faint dark stripes on its legs |
| Habitat | Deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes | Arid lowlands, including the Danakil Desert region |
| Speed or survival | Able to run at up to about 70 km/h | Can survive on sparse food and go for days without water |
| Threats | Hunting and competition with livestock | Hunting, competition with livestock, and interbreeding with domestic donkeys |
| Conservation status | Endangered, with a decreasing population | Critically Endangered, with perhaps a few hundred animals left |
Onager vs African Wild Ass: common questions
Which wild ass is the ancestor of the donkey?
The African wild ass, which is the wild ancestor of the domestic donkey.
Which one has striped legs?
The African wild ass, which has faint dark stripes on its legs, like a zebra.
Which is more at risk?
The African wild ass, which is Critically Endangered, while the onager is Endangered.