Przewalski’s Horse Trivia

Przewalski’s horse was considered extinct in the wild until what year?

1996

Przewalski’s horse was previously listed as Extinct in the Wild (EW) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species from the 1960s up to the assessment in 1996. The species was then reassessed as Critically Endangered (CR) due to at least one surviving mature individual in the wild.

2016

2006

1986

What threatens Przewalski’s horse?

Agriculture

Przewalski’s horse is threatened by small population size and restricted range, potential hybridization with domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus), loss of genetic diversity, and disease. As the population size is small, it is vulnerable to stochastic events such as severe weather. They are also vulnerable to agriculture, energy production, and human intrusions.

Human Intrusions

Przewalski’s horse is threatened by small population size and restricted range, potential hybridization with domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus), loss of genetic diversity, and disease. As the population size is small, it is vulnerable to stochastic events such as severe weather. They are also vulnerable to agriculture, energy production, and human intrusions.

Energy Production

Przewalski’s horse is threatened by small population size and restricted range, potential hybridization with domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus), loss of genetic diversity, and disease. As the population size is small, it is vulnerable to stochastic events such as severe weather. They are also vulnerable to agriculture, energy production, and human intrusions.

Climate Change

Przewalski’s horse is threatened by small population size and restricted range, potential hybridization with domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus), loss of genetic diversity, and disease. As the population size is small, it is vulnerable to stochastic events such as severe weather. They are also vulnerable to agriculture, energy production, and human intrusions.

What is a male Przewalski’s horse called?

Gelding

A male Przewalski’s horse is called a gelding, stallion, or stud.

Stallion

A male Przewalski’s horse is called a gelding, stallion, or stud.

Stud

A male Przewalski’s horse is called a gelding, stallion, or stud.

String

What is Przewalski’s horse’s form of locomotion?

Unguligrade

Like all horses, Przewalski’s horse is an odd-toed ungulate, a hoofed animal which bears most of its weight on one of the fives toes: the third toe.

Other

Digitigrade

Plantigrade

What preys on Przewalski’s horse?

Grey Wolf

Wolves, such as the grey wolf (Canis lupus), and humans prey on Przewalski’s horse.

Red Fox

Tiger

Dhole

For what are Przewalski’s horse’s upper and lower incisors used?

Cutting Vegetation

Przewalski’s horse’s upper and lower incisors are used for cutting vegetation.

Grinding

Tearing Meat

Crushing Bone

What is Przewalski’s horse’s assessment on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?

Endangered

The Przewalski’s horse population is currently estimated to consist of more than 50 mature individuals free-living in the wild for the past seven years, now qualifying the species for Endangered (EN) assessment on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species under Criterion D.

Extinct in the Wild

Critically Endangered

Vulnerable

Przewalski’s horse is territorial.

False

Przewalski’s horse is not territorial.

True

For what were Przewalski’s horses hunted?

Meat

Historically, Przewalski’s horse has declined drastically because of excessive hunting for meat by people.

Hair

Teeth

Hooves

Przewalski’s horses can detect smell and sound at great distances.

True

Przewalski’s horse can detect smell and sound at great distances.

False

What purpose does Przewalski’s horse’s coloration serve?

Camouflage

Przewalski’s horse’s tan to reddish brown coloration helps it blend into its grassland and desert habitat.

Foal Identification

Mate Attraction

Communication

Who was Przewalski’s horse named after?

Western Rediscoverer

Przewalski’s horse was named after Colonel Nikolai Mikailovich Przewalski, a famous Russian explorer who rediscovered the species for western science in 1879.

Tibetan Monk

Taxonomic Classifier

Western Discoverer

How many Przewalski’s horse subspecies are recognized?

3

Equus ferus contains 3 subspecies, Przewalski’s horse (E. F. przewalskii), the domesticated horse (E. f. caballus), and the extinct tarpan (E. f. ferus).

0

1

5

What is Przewalski’s diet?

Herbivorous

Przewalski’s horse is a herbivore.

Omnivorous

Carnivorous

Other

Przewalski’s horse grows a dense coat for winter and sheds into a lighter coat for summer.

True

Przewalski’s horse has a stiff, dark brown mane and grows a dense coat for very cold winters and sheds into a lighter coat for very hot summers.

False

What is Przewalski’s horse’s circadian rhythm?

Crepuscular

Przewalski’s horse is crepuscular and spends more than half the day foraging for food. The horse has been seen spending the day in the desert, traveling to grazing and watering areas after sun-down, and returning to the desert in the morning.

Nocturnal

Cathemeral

Diurnal

What do Przewalski’s horses defend the most?

Female Group Members

Although herds don’t mix, they will share territory because the stallions are more protective of their mares than their territory.

Territory

Water Sources

Male Group Members

What system does Przewalski’s horse inhabit?

Terrestrial

Przewalski’s horse inhabits terrestrial systems.

Aquatic

Arboreal

Fossorial

What are alternate names for Przewalski’s horse?

Asian Wild Horse

Przewalski’s horse is also known as the Asian wild horse, Dzungarian horse, Mongolian wild horse and the takhi – a Mongolian word meaning spirit.

Takhi

Przewalski’s horse is also known as the Asian wild horse, Dzungarian horse, Mongolian wild horse and the takhi – a Mongolian word meaning spirit.

Mongolian Wild Horse

Przewalski’s horse is also known as the Asian wild horse, Dzungarian horse, Mongolian wild horse and the takhi – a Mongolian word meaning spirit.

Tarpan

To what continent is Przewalski’s horse endemic?

Asia

The horse once roamed throughout Europe and Asia, but today they are only found on reserves in Asia.

Oceania

Africa

North America

What habitats do Przewalski’s horses inhabit?

Grassland

Przewalski’s horse currently inhabits grassland and desert habitats. It’s been suggested that the horse is primarily a steppe herbivore that can survive under arid conditions when there is access to waterholes.

Desert

Przewalski’s horse currently inhabits grassland and desert habitats. It’s been suggested that the horse is primarily a steppe herbivore that can survive under arid conditions when there is access to waterholes.

Forest

Savanna

Przewalski’s horse is rare and difficult to catch.

True

That the wild horse was a prestigious gift, denoting its rarity and that it was difficult to catch, is also demonstrated by the presentation of a Przewalski’s horse to the emperor of Manchuria by Chechen-Khansoloj-Chalkaskyden, an important Mongolian, circa 1630.

False

When does Przewalski’s horse sexually mature?

2 Years

Przewalski’s horses are sexually mature at about two years of age.

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

What is Przewalski’s horse’s social system?

Social

Przewalski’s horse is a very social animal.

Social Males, Solitary Females

Solitary

Solitary Males, Social Females

What is Przewalski’s horse’s scientific name?

Equus ferus

All extant wild horses belong to the subspecies Equus ferus przewalskii.

Equus quagga

Equus kiang

Equus hemionus

What is Przewalski’s horse’s current use and trade?

None

There is currently no use or trade in Przewalski’s horses.

Pets

Food

Sport Hunting

What is Przewalski’s horse’s closest relative?

Domestic Horse

Przewalski’s and domestic horses are very closely related and have a phylogenetic relationship as sister taxa diverging between 150,000 and 250,000 years ago.

Kiang

Asiatic Wild Ass

Mountain Zebra

When is Przewalski’s mating season?

April-May

Przewalski’s horse mating and birth occurs in the same season, since females come into heat seven to eight days after giving birth. Mating occurs in April or May.

Oct-Nov

Jan-Feb

Jul-Aug

What is a young Przewalski’s horse called?

Foal

A young Przewalski’s horse is called a foal.

Fawn

Kid

Calf

Where are Przewalski’s horse’s eyes located on its skull?

Sides

Like most prey species, Przewalski’s horse has large eyes located on the sides of the head and set far back in the skull.

Front

Przewalski’s horse has been domesticated.

False

Przewalski’s horse has never been domesticated.

True

How soon after birth can Przewalski’s horse stand and walk?

1 Hour

An hour after birth, Przewalski’s horse foals are able to stand and walk. Foals are usually born at night and by morning are able to travel with the herd.

Immediately

1 Day

1 Week

What is Przewalski’s horse’s parental investment?

Maternal

Przewalski’s horse has maternal parental investment.

Both, Maternal & Paternal

None

Paternal

What is Przewalski’s horse’s population?

178

The Przewalski’s horse population is currently estimated to consist of 178 mature individuals free-living in the wild.

Unknown

1,780

17

What kind of voice does Przewalski’s horse have?

Shrill

Shy and alert to avoid enemies, Przewalski’s horse has a shrill voice.

Hollow

Husky

Quiet

What is a group of Przewalski’s horses called?

Harem

A group of Przewalski’s horses is called a harem, harras, herd, rag, stud, string, or team.

Herd

A group of Przewalski’s horses is called a harem, harras, herd, rag, stud, string, or team.

Gather

Troop

For what are Przewalski’s horse’s hypsodont cheek theeth used?

Grinding

Przewalski’s horse’s many hypsodont cheek teeth are used for grinding.

Cutting Vegetation

Tearing Meat

Crushing Bone

Przewalski’s horse inhabits almost entirely protected areas.

True

The taxon’s re-introduced range is almost entirely within protected areas.

False

Hunting Przewalkski’s horses has been prohibited since what year?

1930

Hunting Przewalski’s horse has been prohibited since 1930, and the species is listed as Very Rare under the 1995 Mongolian Hunting Law.

1953

2003

2015

Przewalski’s horse’s ears can be moved for the localization of sounds.

True

Its ears are fairly long and erect, but can be moved for the localization of sounds.

False

What color is Przewalski’s horse’s muzzle?

White

The horse has white on the belly, dark brown on the lower legs and mane, and a white muzzle.

Red

Brown

Black

When was Przewalski’s horse first written about?

900 A.D.

The first written accounts of Przewalski’s horse originate from Tibet, recorded by the monk Bodowa, who lived around 900 AD.

1771 B.C.

1226 B.C.

1897 B.C.

All Przewalski’s horses belong to the subspecies Equus ferus przewalskii.

True

All extant wild horses belong to the subspecies Equus ferus przewalskii.

False

What type of herbivore is Przewalski’s horse?

Fermenter

All perissodactyls are hindgut fermenters. In contrast to ruminants, hindgut fermenters store digested food that has left the stomach in an enlarged cecum, where the food is digested by bacteria. As an odd-toed ungulate, Przewalski’s horse digests plant cellulose in its intestines rather than in one or more stomach chambers as even-toed ungulates do. No gallbladder is present.

Intermediate Feeder Ruminant (IM)

Concentrate Selector Ruminant (CS)

Roughage Feeder/Grazer Ruminant (GR)

Przewalski’s horse sheds the hairs on its tail and mane all at once.

True

The horse sheds the hairs on its tail and mane all at once, unlike domestic horses that lose only a few hairs at a time.

False

What is Przewalski’s horse’s movement pattern?

Not a Migrant

Przewalski’s horse is not a migrant.

Nomadic

Full Migrant

Altitudinal Migrant

Which of Przewalski’s horse’s features are shorter than those of a domestic horse?

Legs

Przewalski’s horse is stocky and looks very pony-like with shorter legs, neck, and mane than domestic horses. Its head is massive with a long face and a powerful jaw.

Neck

Przewalski’s horse is stocky and looks very pony-like with shorter legs, neck, and mane than domestic horses. Its head is massive with a long face and a powerful jaw.

Mane

Przewalski’s horse is stocky and looks very pony-like with shorter legs, neck, and mane than domestic horses. Its head is massive with a long face and a powerful jaw.

Face

What is a female Przewalski’s horse called?

Mare

A female Przewalski’s horse is called a mare.

Jenny

Sow

Jill

What countries does Przewalski’s horse inhabit?

China

Przewalski’s horse is found in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia. The horse once roamed throughout Europe and Asia, but today they are only found on reserves in Mongolia and China and in zoos around the world.

Mongolia

Przewalski’s horse is found in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia. The horse once roamed throughout Europe and Asia, but today they are only found on reserves in Mongolia and China and in zoos around the world.

India

Russia

What type of habitats do Przewalski’s horses inhabit?

Temperate

Przewalski’s horse currently inhabits temperate habitats.

Dry

Tundra

Subtropical/Tropical

Przewalski’s horse is shy.

True

Shy and alert to avoid enemies, it proved difficult to catch adult horses, because they were too shy and fast.

False

After sexual maturity, which sex of Przewalski’s horse remains in the herd?

Female

Females may remain with the herd but males are driven away after a year.

Male

Both, Male & Female

None

What is Przewalski’s horse’s mating system?

Polygynous

Przewalski’s horse exhibits a harem defense polygyny.

Polygynandrous

Polyandrous

Monogamous

Przewalski’s horse’s population is severely fragmented.

True

Przewalski’s horse’s population is severely fragmented.

False

Przewalski’s horse can create fertile offspring with domestic horses.

True

Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) can hybridize with domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus) to produce fertile offspring.

False

What is a young male Przewalski’s horse called?

Colt

A young male Przewalski’s horse is called a colt.

Stud

Filly

Mare

When is Przewalski’s birthing season?

April-May

Przewalski’s horse mating and birth occurs in the same season, since females come into heat seven to eight days after giving birth. Mating occurs in April or May.

Oct-Nov

Jan-Feb

Jul-Aug

Przewalski’s horse has a wide field of view, even when grazing or drinking.

True

The horse is able to see a wide field except directly behind it, even when its head is down while its are grazing or drinking.

False

Przewalski’s horse is the only remaining species of wild horse.

True

Przewalski’s horse is the only remaining species of wild horse.

False

When are Przewalski’s horses weaned?

8-13 Months

Foals begin grazing within a few weeks but continue to nurse for eight to 13 months.

13-18 Months

3-8 Months

18-23 Months

How long is Przewalski’s horse gestation?

11-12 Months

Przewalski’s horse’s gestation period is from eleven to twelve months.

23-24 Months

6-7 Months

18-19 Months

What is Przewalski’s horse’s diet preference?

Generalist

Przewalski’s horse is a generalist, eating grass, plants, and fruit. It sometimes eats bark, leaves, and buds.

Specialist

What is the lifespan of Przewalski’s horse?

20-25 Years

Lifespan for Przewalski’s horse is 20-25 years.

30-35 Years

10-15 Years

40-45 Years

What is Przewalski’s horse’s population trend?

Increasing

In recent years, the population has been increasing due to successful reintroductions.

Decreasing

Stable

Unknown

The mood of Przewalski’s horse can be detected through what body parts?

Ears

Its moods can be detected through changes in the positions of its ear, mouth, and tail.

Mouth

Its moods can be detected through changes in the positions of its ear, mouth, and tail.

Tail

Its moods can be detected through changes in the positions of its ear, mouth, and tail.

Hooves

What is Przewalski’s horse’s trophic level?

Primary Consumer

Przewalski’s horse is a primary consumer.

Secondary Consumer

Tertiary Consumer

Apex Predator

Przewalski’s horse has ___ chromosomes compared to the domestic horse.

More

The existence of 2n = 66 chromosomes in Przewalski’s horse identifies it as being more different from its domestic relatives (2n = 64) than are any two breeds of domestic horse

Less

The Same

How do Przewalski’s horses establish their permanent groups?

Steal Horses from Rivals

When they are five years of age or older, stallions attempt to form harems of semi-permanent membership that are held year-round. They take over already established harems, steal mares from rivals, or are joined by females dispersing from their natal harem at approximately two to three years of age.

Take Over Established Groups

When they are five years of age or older, stallions attempt to form harems of semi-permanent membership that are held year-round. They take over already established harems, steal mares from rivals, or are joined by females dispersing from their natal harem at approximately two to three years of age.

Join with Dispersed Females

When they are five years of age or older, stallions attempt to form harems of semi-permanent membership that are held year-round. They take over already established harems, steal mares from rivals, or are joined by females dispersing from their natal harem at approximately two to three years of age.

Join with Dispersed Males

How many Przewalski’s horses make up a group?

4-10

This species forms permanent herds consisting of one dominant stallion and four to ten mares with their offspring.

1-4

10-20

20-50

To how many offspring does Przewalski’s horse give birth?

1

A single offspring is born.

2

3

4

What is a young female Przewalski’s horse called?

Filly

A young female Przewalski’s horse is called a filly.

Stud

Colt

Mare

Przewalski’s Horse Trivia

Published by Noelle M. Brooks

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