# Equines (*Equidae*) Equines, like horses, are strong and graceful animals. They have been friends with humans for a long time and help us in many ways, from riding to working on farms. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Equines](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/23393694/medium.jpg) Photo: CK2AZ, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/23393694) ## Appearance The Equines have strong, muscular bodies and long heads with distinct manes and tails. They possess single solid hooves and come in diverse coats like solid browns, spotted patterns, or striped black and white. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae ## Interesting facts - A horse's age can be estimated by looking at the wear and pattern on their teeth! - Equines have specialized eyes that let them see almost 360 degrees without moving their head! - Wild asses can go for days without water, surviving in extremely dry environments! - Zebras each have unique stripe patterns, like human fingerprints, making them identifiable! ## Special abilities - **Powerful Runners:** Equines can run fast and far because of their long, strong legs that help them escape predators. - **Super Senses:** Equines have excellent hearing and smell that helps them detect danger from a distance. - **Tough Digestion:** Equines have a unique digestive system that helps them break down tough plant fibers effectively. - **Continuous Teeth:** Equines have continuously growing teeth that helps them grind tough grasses their whole life. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-300 cm - **Weight:** 150-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-40 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-410 days ## Diet & Feeding Equines are herbivores that primarily eat grasses and other tough plant materials. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Shrubs, Bark, Herbs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Adult lions hunt zebras and wild asses in African savannas. - **Eaten by:** [Gray Wolf](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — Wolves prey on wild horses and foals in their natural ranges. - **Eats:** Buffelgrass (*Cenchrus ciliaris*) — Equines graze extensively on various grasses, including buffelgrass. - **Symbiotic with:** Gut Bacteria (*Ruminococcus flavefaciens*) — Tiny microbes in their gut help equines digest tough plant fibers. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always be calm and gentle around horses, and ask an adult before getting close. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Equines? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Equines? 90-300 cm ### How much does Equines weigh? 150-1000 kg ### How long does Equines live? 20-40 years ### How fast can Equines move? 70 km/h ### What does Equines eat? Equines are herbivores that primarily eat grasses and other tough plant materials. ### Where is Equines usually found? Grasslands ### How does Equines hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Equines: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/equines)