In this podcast episode, Chris and Angie talk about the intriguing Asiatic Wild Asses, relating to the endangered equids species residing from Persia to Mongolia. They recollect stories about their late brother Shawn Mortensen’s love for the animals, his passion for photography, and his travels in Mongolia. The discussion covers the fascinating aspects of the species concerning their size, wild habitats, crucial role in the ecosystem, and impressive resilience. Additionally, they delve into the species' environmental adaptations like enhanced hearing due to their big ears, crucial to surviving hot desert climates. The hosts focus on the population decrease from the 1800s, existing pockets in Asia, and the existing conservation work in China and Mongolia, which rekindles hope for this threatened species. Podcast Timeline 00:55 Introduction to the Creatures Podcast 01:11 Remembering Sean Mortenson: An Inspiration 02:10 The Fascinating Story of the Asiatic Wild Ass 04:14 The Onager: A Beautiful and Endangered Equid 06:09 The Importance of Patreon Support for Conservation Efforts 14:34 The Role of the Asiatic Wild Ass in the Ecosystem 19:03 Conservation Efforts in Mongolia and China 23:00 The Persian Onager: A Critically Endangered Subspecies 28:04 The Evolution of Equids 35:50 Introduction to the Largest Equid 36:15 Discussion on Draft Horses 37:30 Exploring the Shire Horse 37:41 Insights into Equine Science 38:06 Understanding Horse Size and Weight 38:06 The Gentle Giants: Draft Horses 38:12 The Weight of the Largest Equid 38:47 Life Expectancy of Equids 39:48 Speed and Adaptability of Asiatic Wild Asses 41:27 The Role of Ears in Heat Dissipation 44:00 Survival Adaptations of Equids 44:43 Feeding Behavior of Equids 48:03 Communication and Social Behavior of Equids 51:56 Reproduction in Equids 57:33 Conservation Efforts for Asiatic Wild Asses ------------------------------------------------------ Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices