#kiang

No. 48 Kiang Equus kiang

Also known as the Tibetan Wild Ass.

Found mainly in the Tibetan plateau of China but also down to the Himalayas of Nepal, Northern India and rarely Pakistan.

Feeds mainly on sedges and grasses in the extremely open steppe valleys.

PHOTO BY FRANK HAES

PLATE 67—THE KIANG.

Today's animal of the day is the Kiang (Equus kiang)!

Photo credit: rusik-r2d2 on iNaturalist

Also known as the khyang, gorkhar, or the Tibetan wild ass, this species of wild donkey can be found in the shrublands and grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau, which includes parts of Tajikistan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Ladakh region of India. The kiang is the largest species of wild donkey, with males weighing between 770 to 880 pounds and females weighing between 550 to 660 pounds.

Photo credit: Manuel Ruedi

Kiangs mainly feed on grasses and sedges, but they've also been known to feed on shrubs and will even dig up roots from the ground when their normal food sources are in short supply. Water is usually pretty scarce on the Tibetan Plateau, so these donkeys get most of their water from the plants that they eat. They will also sometimes get water by eating snow when it is available. When they do come across bodies of water, they are apparently excellent swimmers and enjoy bathing and playing in the water to cool off when it gets too hot.

Photo credit: Swati Udayraj

Jennies and foals typically live in small herds led by the oldest female, while males are solitary for most of the year, though sometimes young males will form small bachelor herds during the winter. On rare occasions, multiple smaller herds will temporarily merge and form massive super-herds that can consist of over 400 individuals! Though these groups don't tend to last too long.

Photo credit: Li Jianong