#onagers

The Animal Kingdom; Based upon the Writings of the Eminent Naturalists, Audubon, Wallace, Brehm, Wood, and Others. Edited by Hugh Craig. Volume 2. Published in 1897.

“If you want to understand why onagers are so cool, you have to understand where they come from—which is really hot. Persian onagers are native to the semi-desert region of Iran, where it can get up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. One of their most incredible adaptations is their ability to withstand extreme temperatures. 

Another amazing thing about onagers is how scrappy they are! Since rain is hard to come by in the desert of central Asia, leaves and grasses provide onagers with most of the water they need to survive, which distinguishes them from other equine species. A Przewalski’s (sha-VAL-ski) horse (native to the steppes of the Gobi Desert) may drink up to 12 gallons of water a day, Persian onagers might only drink 1.5 gallons. Onagers have evolved to handle anything the desert can throw at them with few resources.

They are inquisitive, but stubborn enough that everything needs to be their idea. Ancient civilizations attempted to domesticate the onager without success due to their unruly nature.”

Desert Dwellers. Written by Michel Cuisin. Illustrated by Wolfgang Weber. 1987.

Desert Dwellers. Written by Michel Cuisin. Illustrated by Wolfgang Weber. 1987.