Red River Hog

Onager is the ass of Asia. However, the biggest difference from the African Wild Ass is that the Asian Ass could never be tamed. They are considerable bigger that its African cousins at about 290 kilos in weight. They are also among the fastest mammals on planet, being able to reach up to 70 Km/h.

The two species, (African and Asian Ass) shared the same ancestor: The Kiang, which will be described later, and which was considered a subspecies of the Onager. Nonetheless, further studies acknowledge as a distinct species.

Five subspecies are recognized. Two of them are close to extinction, other two are threatened and one, unfortunately, is extinct. There is the possibility of another subspecies, The Gobi Khulan but there is still debate on it.

Mongolian Wild Ass: It is the most widespread from all subspecies but has lost about %50 of its former distribution range in just 70 years. It’s main threat is poaching and competition for grassland with livestock.

Turkmenian Kulan: Also called Transcaspian Wild Ass or simply Kulan, the animal has slowly decline in former distribution ranges but its population has increase where it’s been re-introduced such as in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine where they used to inhabit. Also in Israel where th subspecies is making hybrids with Persian wild Onagers.

Persian Onager: Also called the Persian Zebra or Gur, The Persian Onager has been close to extinction. It is highly protected and hunting it is strictly forbidden. Breeding programs in different zoos associations in Europe and North America are keeping hope on this animal. That various spring born in captivity has been returned to its natural environment. Some other new borns in Khar Turan National Park, in Iran (it’s native environment) has been reported.

Indian Wild Ass: Also called Ghudkhur, Khur or Indian Onager. Form barely 300 animals in 1960, strong seizures of protection and adding better resources to its environment such as water holes, by 2004 its population increased to almost 4000. The most recent census in 2015 stated that its population is close to 5000. When you want you can.

Syrian Wild Ass: Known also as Hemippe, Achdari or the Mesopotamian Onager, he couldn’t make it to today. Huge herds used to be seen in the 15th and 16th centuries but its number began to drop precipitously during the next centuries due to overhunting by Europeans. Its existence became uncertain during the World War I (Nothing god from wars) and its last specimen was fatally shot in 1927 near Azraq Oasis in Jordan. The last specimen died the same year, in Vienna.

I had a nice discussion a few day back about subspecies. My friend was arguing that subspecies is silly because some of the differences are just molecular, dental, and barely hard to see. Me, on the other hand, I think subspecies is the first step for a new species to come. The subspecies of one species are found in environments that usually has small variables in between but somehow force the animal to change in order to survive.

These adaptations are what make the animal a subspecies, small changes. However, we all know that the environment is not still and it will eventually change, probably a lot. And if the animal wants to survive that environment, it also has to change, a lot as well. To the point that it might become a new species. So I think subspecies is something very subtle but can be the beginning of a new animal. Interesting isn’t it? Anyway, is just my thoughts from the little I know about the subject. If someone have another approach I’d love to hear it.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation. 

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Przewalski's Horse:

The Przewalski Horse is the only truly wild horse that remains. Extinct at some point for more than 30 years, it was the zoos who actually brought them back. By 1940′s its number began to decline rapidly and by 1969 after a fruitless search, only one individual was spotted in the wild. Only a handful of this animals were surviving in some of the zoos of Europe.

A breeding program began in the Netherlands by 1977. By 1979 the program was able to maximize the genetic diversity from the almost 400 individuals spread in 16th different facilities. By early 1900s, the number of horses increased by over 1500. The horse is now reintroduced to its natural habitat and today it’s numbers remain stable. 

Zoos are controversial but I personally think they are crucial at the conservation of the species (I’m talking about zoos that are actually working on precede the life of many species, not the ones that are created just for our own selfish enjoyment). There is of course room for improvement but a zoo is not what it used to be 40 years ago. There is a better understanding of the behavior of the animals today and this allow us to make better enclosures that are a more friendly space for the animals inside. 

On the other hand, we are making the world an uncertain place. Many of the habitats are being vanished from earth and many species have seen their numbers drastically reduced because of this. Maybe the zoos are the new futuristic Noah’s Arc. A place for recovery, where endanger animals can survive in this uncertain times. Then, we can have more time to learn how to live on earth without destroying it and put them back where they belong once everything is safe again.

If is not for zoos, the Przewalski Horse would have vanished from earth many years ago.

PD. I change a little the layout. What do you think?

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Mexican Pronghorn

The number of these animals has been reduced by %99. It has been tried to be reintroduced in Coahuila, Mexico in 1995 and 1998 but the results haven't been promising.

Low nutrients plants, lack of water that many times compete with cattle, and the number of predators haven't created the best environment for the Pronghorn to flourish. These elements have resulted in the distress of the animals that aren't able to reproduce normally. References: Monitoring a Pronghorn Mammals of North America Itis Wikipedia *Photo Reference Credit: Toxostoma _____________________________________________

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My artwork featuring all equine species and subspecies is now available in my store. It's been about a year since I began working on horses, so it's satisfying to see it completed. Although they are a well-known and beloved family, there are still some discrepancies among biologists. Questions persist, such as whether the extinct Tarpan should be classified as a species or not, and even the classification of domestic and feral horses. Moreover, it's concerning that four subspecies of this family are already extinct.

Regardless, for those who love horses and those who wish to delve deeper into this captivating family, you can purchase the artwork here:

Art Print Equine

"Today, the last tiger subspecies and probably my favorite one: the Sumatran Tiger. While working on this animal, I discovered that it has several notable visual differences from other subspecies of tigers. One of the most striking is the length and density of its mane, which gives it an even more majestic appearance. Additionally, the tiger's stripes are thicker, creating a more vivid contrast in its coat.

I'm excited to share with you that I'll be releasing a poster featuring all the subspecies of tigers, including the Sumatran Tiger, very soon. Stay tuned for more updates!" Sumatran Tiger The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all tiger subspecies and is currently listed as critically endangered with only about 400 individuals left in the wild. Unfortunately, the Javan and Bali tiger is now extinct. They were populations that belonged to this subspecies of tiger. To preserve the Sumatran tiger, numerous programs are being conducted in zoos that have shown promising results. _______________________________________________ Credits: Felids and Hyenas of the World: Wildcats, Panthers, Lynx, Pumas, Ocelots, Caracals, and Relatives.  Dr. José R. Castelló Photo Reference Credit: Phil Le Cren ______________________________________________ Thank you for being here. If you like the content please like and follow. Reblogged is also very welcome. Check out the new website of the project here

The Guanaco is a smaller member of the camelidae family also inhabits the andes in South America. 

The information found about this animal is a little bit confusing. While some pages put the animal in an endangered status, some others put it in a Least Concern status. However looking at the numbers of some of the subspecies, I came to the conclusion that it might be a endangered species.

Another issue was that some pages state that it is composed by four subspecies, some other just recognized two ( Guanaco and Guanaco Norteño) saying that the differences are not yet proved and the distribution is unclear.

This just proves how much is still to be done in the animal kingdom and how easy can become a topic of controversy among biologist. Time will give the reason to either of the two theories while some other questions surely arise. Fascinating!

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Thanks again for the interest on my Tumblr. If you like the content please follow me. Every ten days a new animal explained and illustrated. Likes and reblog are also highly appreciated. To me is so interesting to study animals and share what I learn. I also think is important people get to know about them too, because we cannot protect what we don’t know exist.

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A tribute to the Tiger Each tiger subspecies tells a story—of strength, beauty, and survival. This illustration captures them all in fine detail, alongside their distribution, conservation status, and classification. Printed on museum-quality cotton rag paper with archival inks, it’s made to last—just like the tiger’s legacy. Available in multiple sizes and ready to travel anywhere. 🔗 Here

Kiang:

This is a complete new one for me, I never heard of this animal before. It is the largest of the wild asses and it used to be counted as a subspecies of the Onager. However, further studies demonstrated that is a different species. It can be also named as Tibetan Wild Ass, Khyang, or Gorkhar.

There is a different approach to the association of this animal compared to the other asses and is the way that is seen by the people who coexists with them. Never been tamed, this ass is not seen as a stupid animal like other in cultures tend to portray asses. Instead, it is seen as an imposing and graceful animal more likely as a horse, that pasturing gracefully on the Tibetan Plateau. Some travelers even say that the Kiang served as an inspiration for the mythical unicorn.

It can be crossbreed with horses, other asses, donkeys and even zebras, but its offspring will be sterile as mules.

They move in small herds and males are usually solitaries. Sometimes they can group in herds of a several hundreds individuals. This herds don’t last longer and are basically consisting in young males, females and theirs calfs. The only enemy, besides humans, might be the Himalayan Wolf who dare to attack Kiangs if are found alone.

Eastern Kiang: It is the largest of the three subspecies. Inhabits in Qinghai, southeastern Xinjiang,

Southern Kiang: It is the smallest

Western Kiang: It has a darker coat and is slightly smaller than the Eastern Kiang.

There is still missing information to validate the existence of the three subspecies.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation.

Nice Posters in my store: Here 
 Follow my Instagram: Species of the World

Blue Whale

"We must feel lucky to be sharing the world with the biggest animal that ever existed."

Not even the biggest dinosaur is a match for the size of the Blue Whale, the largest animal that ever existed on earth. The largest-ever registered was 33 meters. It is the biggest size the animal can reach in order to function correctly. A fifth subspecies could be a population that inhabits the coasts of Chile. A group with unique vocalization and notable genetic differences.

I must say that whales are fascinating. I still find it hard to wrap the size of this animal. I hope one day I could see one of them. Today is protected because it was heavily hunted almost to its extinction. In 1966, its hunt was banned by the International Whaling Commission. ___________________________

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🌿 Who is the Central American Tigrina? This tiny wild cat (Leopardus tigrinus centralis) might be a subspecies… or a full species of its own. Some studies even link it closer to ocelots than to its supposed cousins. Mysterious, elusive, and stunningly spotted, it prowls the forests of Central America — quietly vanishing before we’ve even figured out exactly who it is. 🐾✨