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{{Taxonomy
|name=Ass
|image=
|caption=
|domain=Eukaryota
|kingdom= Animalia
|subkingdom=Bilateria
|branch=Deuterostomia
|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
|subphylum=Vertebrata
|infraphylum=Gnathostomata
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=Tetrapoda
|class=Mammalia
|subclass=Theriiformes
|infraclass=Holotheria
|superorder=Preptotheria
|order=Perissodactyla
|suborder=Hippomorpha
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|family=Equidae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|tribe=Archipini
|subtribe=
|genera=
|genus=Equus
|subgenus=asinus
|species=E. africanus<br/>E. hemionus<br/>E. kiang
|binomialname=
|sub=
|alt=
|regionimg=
|pop=
|conservation=
}}
The '''ass''' (''Equus asinus'') refers to three species of horse-like mammals of the family Equidae.
==Description==
Compared to horses, asses are generally smaller, with the largest species standing no more than 55 inches at the shoulders; the remaining species are considerably less than that. They have a sturdy, robust appearance, and range in color from a bluish-gray to fawn for the African species, to a yellowish-grey to reddish for the Asian species. White is the color of their underparts and muzzle. Dark, horizontal stripes are sometimes present on the lower legs. They have long ears, a stiff, erect mane, and a tail whose appearance is more cow-like than horse-like.
All three species have had several subspecies domesticated in ancient times, as they were sure-footed and due to its stamina could handle load-carrying and other work for long periods with little care. Of these, the Nubian subspecies (''E. a. africanus'') is the ancestor of the [[donkey]] (''E. a. asinus''), one of the most successful and widespread domesticated animals.
==Species==
The three species are considered part of a subgenus named ''Asinus'':
*[[African wild ass]], ''Equus africanus''
*[[Asiatic wild ass]], ''Equus hemionus''
*[[Tibetan wild ass]], ''Equus kiang''
==Range and habitat==
Asses are primarily found in arid and semi-arid environments, where grazing is available but in areas which generally do not support other large mammals. The Asian species are found from the Middle East to central Asia; the African species is severely restricted in range near the Horn of Africa; as ;a result of hunting, traditional medicine, and competition from livestock, the African species is critically endangered<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/7949/45170994</ref>.
==References==
<small><references/></small>
[[Category:Mammals]][[Category:Equids]]
[[Category:Odd-Toed Ungulates]]