Did you know that horses can sleep standing up? On my drive back from the Mongolian countryside to the capital, I saw groups of horses dozing near the road. Their thick, puffy winter coats help them stay warm in the harsh cold, but they huddle together for extra warmth. Each time the car’s headlights swept across the landscape, another small cluster of horses would appear out of the darkness.
I love animals, so this week I asked my students about endangered species in Mongolia. They told me about the Przewalski’s horse, which is not only endangered but also the national animal of Mongolia. It’s the only true wild horse in the world because it has never been domesticated, and it even has four more chromosomes than domestic horses! Przewalski’s horses are short and round-bellied, with a stiff mane that stands straight up. They also shed their tails every spring.
