The Great Gobi Desert is the great stony desert of North Central Asia. It is situated deep within the continental interior of the Asian continent and far from moisture-laden winds. Precipitation may occur only once every two or three years and averages less than 100mm annually. The winters are very cold and the summers short and hot. The climate is extreme; temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer and fall to -40 degrees Celsius in the winter.

Even though the environment is harsh and inhospitable; the Great Gobi Desert is of worldwide importance as a region of unique landscapes with special fauna and flora. It is possible to find representatives of the ancient surface fauna of Central Asia, the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus ferus), Gobi bear (Ursus arctos), wild Argali sheep (Ovis ammon), the Wild Ass (Equus hemionus) and the Black-tailed gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). All these species are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It was also the last refuge in the wild of Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalski), the Asian wild horse.

Bactrian Camel -- General Characteristics
Body Length: 300 cm / 10 ft.
Shoulder Height: 180-230 cm / 6-7.6 ft.
Tail Length: 50 cm / 20 in.
Weight: 600-1000 kg / 1320-2200 lb.

The long, wooly coat varies in color from dark brown to sandy beige. There is a mane and beard of long hair on the neck and throat, with hairs up to 25 cm / 10 in long. The shaggy winter coat is shed extremely rapidly, with huge sections peeling off at once, almost as if it were shorn off. There are two humps on the back, which are composed of fat (not water as sometimes thought). The face is long and somewhat triangular, with a split upper lip. There are long eyelashes, which, along with the sealable nostrils, help to keep out dust in the frequent sandstorms which occur. The two broad toes on each foot have undivided soles and are able to spread widely as an adaptation to walking on sand.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: 12-14 months.
Young per Birth: 1, rarely 2
Weaning: At 1-2 years.
Sexual Maturity: Females at 3-4 years, males around 5-6 years.
Life span: 40 years.
The birthing season peaks in March-April.
Ecology and Behavior
Bactrian camels are extremely adept at withstanding wide variations in temperature - from freezing cold to blistering heat. They have a remarkable ability to go without water for months at a time, but when water is available they may drink up to 57 liters at once. When well fed, the humps are plump and erect, but as resources decline the humps shrink and lean to the side. The rolling gait of the camel is accomplished by stepping forwards with both legs on the same side, much like the giraffe. Speeds of up to 65 kmph / 40 mph have been recorded under extreme pressure. As pack animals, these ungulates are virtually unsurpassed, able to carry 170-270 kg / 375-600 lbs at a rate of 47 km per day, or 4 kmph over a period of four days. Bactrian camels are said to be good swimmers. The sense of sight is well developed and the sense of smell is extremely good. The population density of wild Bactrian camels is calculated to be 5 animals per 100 square kilometers.
Family group: In small groups of 6-30 females and young led by an adult male, or solitary.
Diet: Leaves, grasses, shrubs.
Main Predators: None known.
Distribution:
Desert and steppes in the Gobi desert.

Goitered gazelle -- General Characteristic
Body Length: 90-115 cm / 3-3.8 ft.
Shoulder Height: 60-80 cm / 2-2.6 ft.
Tail Length: 15-20 cm / 6-8 in.
Weight: 18-33 kg / 40-73 lb.

The light brown body darkens towards the belly, where it joins with the white underparts in a crisp line. The typical facial marking of gazelles are pronounced only in juveniles - with age the forehead and nose bridge turn white, with only the brown eye-nose stripe remaining. The tail is black in colour, conspicuous against the white buttocks when raised in flight. Unlike the rest of the "true gazelles", only the male goitered gazelle carries horns, which grow 25-43 cm / 10-17.2 inches long. Black in colour and sharply diverging, the horns form an "S" shaped, bending up backwards, and turning in at the tips. During the rut, the larynx of males bulges outwards, resembling a goiter.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: 5-6 months.
Young per Birth: 1 or 2, rarely up to 4
Weaning: After 4-5 months.
Sexual Maturity: Females at 9 months, males around 18 months.
Life span: 10-12 years.
Unlike many gazelles, the goitered gazelle has a restricted breeding season. This occurs from November to January, with the resulting births taking place in April and May. The young lie camouflaged away from their mothers for the first 2 weeks, gaining strength and stability on their wobbly legs. The mother generally returns to nurse three times each day.
Ecology and Behavior
During the summer, most activity takes place in the late afternoon and early morning, consisting of leisurely walking and simultaneous grazing. At midday, herds take shelter in the shade, where they excavate shallow oval-shaped pits to lie in. During the cooler winter months, this midday break is significantly reduced, and sometimes even eliminated. If disturbed from its shelter, a goitered gazelle rapidly flees for 200-300 meters, pausing to assess the danger from this distance. A broad circular path is then taken back to the original resting spot. Extremely speedy, these gazelles can run up to 60 kmph / 36 mph. Each animal generally consumes about 30% of its body weight in green matter per day, and can derive most of its needed moisture from it. In the spring and summer, groups may travel to water sources, but even still they rarely drink daily. Herds cover 10-30 kilometers per day in the winter, with these distances being reduced nearly tenfold in summer. Throughout much of their range, goitered gazelles undergo a seasonal migrations. During the breeding season, adult males become territorial, using dung middens placed at strategic locations to indicate ownership. At this time, males emit hoarse bellows, and glandular activity increases significantly, with the result that the male is often seen smearing secretions on objects.
Family group: In summer, small family groups of 2-5 animals; In winter, large herds with dozens or even hundreds of individuals.
Diet: Grasses, leaves, and shoots.
Main Predators: Leopard, wolf.
Distribution:
Deserts, semi-deserts, hilly plains, and plateaus in southern and central Asia.

Tibetan Wild Ass -- General Characteristics
Body Length: 210 cm / 7 ft.
Shoulder Height: 140 cm / 4.6 ft.
Tail Length: 50 cm / 50 in.
Weight: 250-400 kg / 550-880 lb.

The reddish brown upper parts are sharply contrasted with the pure white underparts, including the rump. This white area stretches up the ventral half (stomach-side) of the neck to the jowls. A thin stripe of brown extends down the front of the legs, which are otherwise white. Where the legs meet the body, large wedges of white reach up the sides. Along the spine is a dark dorsal stripe. The grey muzzle has a thin border of white. The summer coat is short and sparse compared to the very long, thick, browner winter coat. There is a short, dark brown mane which stands vertically, and follows the top of the neck from the ears to the shoulders. The tail has a dark brown tuft, with long hairs growing up the side.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: Almost 12 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: By 12 months.
Sexual Maturity: After 1 year.
Life span: 20 years.
The August-September breeding season yields foals born in late July through August the next year. Small groups of 2-5 females split away from the main herd, retreating to rocky places to give birth. The young can walk and run just a few hours after birth, and mothers and foals rejoin the herd after a couple weeks.
Ecology and Behavior
Kiang live in very cohesive herds which never become scattered. Led by an old female, the herds travel in single file, and the members appear to do everything - including eating, drinking, turning, and running - in unison. Unlike horses, however, there is little physical contact (like mutual grooming) among animals. Males begin to follow these female herds in July, fighting amongst themselves through August for breeding rights. During mid-August, they begin herding the females into harems, defending them from rival males. Kiang are good swimmers, and during the summer months take apparent pleasure in bathing in rivers. During August and September, the only time when vegetation is plentiful, kiangs may gain up to 40-45 kg / 88-100 lb.
Family group: Maternal herds of 5-400 animals, mature males generally solitary, although bachelor herds of up to 10 individuals form during the winter.
Diet: Grasses and low plants.
Main Predators: Wolf
Distribution:
High plateaus and undulating steppe in Tibet at elevations up to 5,000 meters / 16,500 feet.

Argali sheep --General Characteristics
Body Length: 120-200 cm / 4-6.6 ft.
Shoulder Height: 90-120 cm / 3-4 ft.
Tail Length: 14 cm / 5.6 in.
Weight: 65-180 kg / 143-396 lb.

The general colouration of argalis is variable, ranging from a light buff to darker grey-brown, with white hairs being interspersed in some cases (especially in older individuals). The underparts are whitish, and separated from the main body colour by a darker band which runs along the sides. The face is noticeably lighter. In addition, males have a whitish neck ruff, which encompasses most of the neck's surface, and a dorsal crest, both of which are more prominent in the winter coat. Argalis have a whitish rump patch, although there is much variation between subspecies in terms of size and borders. Adult males carry two enormous corkscrew-like horns, which can reach 190 cm / 6.3 feet when measured along the spiral. Females also bear horns, although these are much smaller, rarely exceeding 30 cm / 1 foot in length.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: 150-160 days.
Young per Birth: 1-2
Weaning: At 4 months.
Sexual Maturity: Females at 2 years, males by 5 years.
Life span: 10-13 years.
Just prior to parturition, females separate from the herd and retreat to an inaccessible spot to give birth. The mother and her newborn will remain separate from the herd for several days, during which the lamb lies motionless while its mother takes brief forays to graze.
Ecology and Behavior
Reported population densities range from 1.0-1.2 animals per square kilometer. Seasonal migrations have been reported for some populations (especially the males), while there is a general trend to live at higher elevations in the sumertime. With relatively long legs, argalis are fast runners and may flee from predators, although refuge is often taken on steep mountain slopes. The primary vocalizations are an alarm whistle and a warning hiss made by blowing air through the nostrils. When competing, males rear up on their hind legs and, leaning forward, race towards their opponent, crashing horns in the process.
Family group: Herds segregated by sex (except for breeding season) with 2 to over 100 animals.
Diet: Grasses, herbs, sedges.
Main Predators: Wolf, snow leopard, leopard.
Distribution:
Hilly terrain near high mountains at elevations of 1,300-6,100 meters / 4,200-19,500 feet throughout central Asia.

Asian wild horse -- General Characteristics
Body Length: 210 cm / 7 ft.
Shoulder Height: 140 cm / 4.6 ft.
Tail Length: 90 cm / 3 ft.
Weight: 350 kg / 770 lb.

The light tan to reddish brown coat (also known as dun or bay) fades to white on the undersides. The coat is short in summer, growing longer and woolier and becoming lighter in the colder months. The lower legs are dark brown or black. On the top of the neck is a stiff, dark brown mane which is permanently erect. The stocky body is supported by short, slender legs, each terminating in a single hoof. The head is relatively large, and is generally darker than the rest of the body. The ears are small, and the muzzle is white.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: 340 days.
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: At 6-8 months, although the young may remain with their mother for upwards of two years.
Sexual Maturity: 2 years.
Life span: About 20 years.
Young are usually born in April, May, and June.
Ecology and Behavior
Due to its extinct-in-the-wild status, little recent data is available on Przewalski's wild horse. In the wild, this horse is (was?) extremely wary, constantly alert for wolves and man. They can be quite aggressive, and are able to defend themselves with their sharp teeth and hooves. The dominant stallion in a herd is responsible for the herd's protection and coordinating daily movements, and holds his position for several years. It is rare to find a herd led by a male less than 6 years of age.
Family group: Breeding bands of 15-20 females and young led by an adult male, and small bachelor herds.
Diet: Grasses.
Main Predators: Wolf.
Distribution:
Formerly grassland and steppe in China and Mongolia.