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 Timeline00:55 Introduction to the Creatures Podcast01:11 Remembering Sean Mortenson: An Inspiration02:10 The Fascinating Story of the Asiatic Wild Ass04:14 The Onager: A Beautiful and Endangered Equid06:09 The Importance of Patreon Support for Conservation Efforts14:34 The Role of the Asiatic Wild Ass in the Ecosystem19:03 Conservation Efforts in Mongolia and China23:00 The Persian Onager: A Critically Endangered Subspecies28:04 The Evolution of Equids35:50 Introduction to the Largest Equid36:15 Discussion on Draft Horses37:30 Exploring the Shire Horse37:41 Insights into Equine Science38:06 Understanding Horse Size and Weight38:06 The Gentle Giants: Draft Horses38:12 The Weight of the Largest Equid38:47 Life Expectancy of Equids39:48 Speed and Adaptability of Asiatic Wild Asses41:27 The Role of Ears in Heat Dissipation44:00 Survival Adaptations of Equids44:43 Feeding Behavior of Equids48:03 Communication and Social Behavior of Equids51:56 Reproduction in Equids57:33 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] you would like to advertise on our podcastYou can also visit our website HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices