Persian onager the Asiatic wild ass is known simply as onager, it now also serves as the Persian wild ass's scientific name, as well ("Equus hemionus onager"). Information on the basic biology of the subspecies and how it differs from others is lacking, which hampers conservation efforts. Onagers used to be numerous from the Middle East to China. However, until the 19th century, their population has been reduced from several thousand to a few thousand. Currently, more than 600 Persian onagers are living in the wild. Persian wild asses are known to inhabit mountain steppes, semidesert, or desert plains. They are usually
Onager seen feeding on seed pods such as "Prosopis" and breaking up woody vegetation with their hooves to get at more succulent herbs growing at the base of woody plants. During the winter, onagers also eat snow as a substitute for water. When natural water sources are unavailable, the onager digs holes in dry riverbeds to access subsurface water. The water holes dug by the onagers are often subsequently visited by domestic livestock, as well as other wild animals. Water is also found in the plants on which the onagers feed. During spring and summer in Mongolia, the succulent plants of