Asinus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Asinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Family:	Equidae
Genus:	Equus
Subgenus:	Asinus
Species
Equus africanus Equus hemionus Equus kiang
Range of the three living ass species

Asinus is a subgenus of Equus (single-toed (hooved) grazing animal) that encompasses several subspecies of the Equidae commonly known as wild asses, characterized by long ears, a lean, straight-backed build, lack of a true withers, a coarse mane and tail, and a reputation for considerable toughness and endurance.

The common donkey is the best-known domesticated representative of the subgenus, with both domesticated and feral varieties. Among the wild ass species, several never-domesticated species live in Asia and Africa.

Taxonomy

• Genus: Equus
  • Subgenus: Asinus
    • African wild ass, Equus africanus
      • Nubian wild ass, Equus africanus africanus
      • Somali wild ass, Equus africanus somaliensis
      • Donkey, Equus africanus asinus
      • Atlas wild ass, †Equus africanus atlanticus (extinct)
    • Onager or Asiatic wild ass, Equus hemionus
      • Mongolian wild ass or khulan, Equus hemionus hemionus
      • Indian wild ass or khur, Equus hemionus khur
      • Turkmenian kulan, Equus hemionus kulan
      • Persian onager or gur, Equus hemionus onager
      • Syrian wild ass or achdari, †Equus hemionus hemippus (extinct)
      • European wild ass or hydruntine, †Equus hemionus hydruntinus (extinct)
    • Kiang or Tibetan wild ass, Equus kiang
      • Western kiang, Equus kiang kiang
      • Eastern kiang, Equus kiang holdereri
      • Southern kiang, Equus kiang polyodon
      • Northern kiang, Equus kiang chu