Just the Nine of Us: The horse family (Equidae) includes nine species: two horses, four asses, and three zebras. Strangely, their closest relatives are rhinoceroses and tapirs, other odd-toed hoofed creatures. Today, equid range is limited to parts of Africa and Asia , but equids were abundant on most coninents until 10,000 years ago. Scientists believe that climate changes contributed to the decline in equid species.

Hungry, Hungry Horses: Best adapted to grassy environments like savannas, equids spend about 80 percent of their time eating day and night.

Social Butterflies: These social creatures mainly communicate with sound. For example, domestic horses and zebras nicker to warn their families of danger, and males squeal when about to fight over a female. Equids have several kinds of social systems: harems with dominant males, bachelor groups, and solitary lifestyles with non-manogamous relationships.

Horses Galore! In addition to Przewalski’s Horse and Domestic Horses, Equidae includes the…

African Ass, Asiatic Ass, Kiang, Onager, Takhi, Grevy’s Zebra, Mountain Zebra, and Plains Zebra.

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