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Equus (genus)
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<p><i>Equus</i> is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a> in the <a href="/facts/Family_(biology)/qTrn6E8E">family</a> <a href="/facts/Equidae/3zpnzkFG">Equidae</a>, which includes <a href="/facts/Wild_horse/0HYWNPhr">horses</a>, <a href="/facts/Asinus/Du4oG0Yz">asses</a>, and <a href="/facts/Zebras/6S3mljsH">zebras</a>. Within the Equidae, <i>Equus</i> is the only recognized <a href="/facts/Extant_taxon/YK8uj7qU">extant</a> genus, comprising seven living species. Like Equidae more broadly, <i>Equus</i> has numerous <a href="/facts/Extinct/24p5NP2q">extinct</a> <a href="/facts/Species/oDg6b96r">species</a> known only from <a href="/facts/Fossil/by7NzIA1">fossils</a>. The genus originated in North America and dispersed into the Old World and South America during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. <a href="/facts/Equinae/lNz2TSUX">Equines</a> are <a href="/facts/Odd-toed_ungulate/wHFU3gFH">odd-toed ungulates</a> with slender legs, long heads, relatively long necks, manes (erect in most subspecies), and long tails. All species are <a href="/facts/Herbivorous/me4YFdQA">herbivorous</a>, and mostly grazers, with simpler digestive systems than <a href="/facts/Ruminantia/6EBDrjH9">ruminants</a> but able to subsist on lower-quality vegetation. </p><p>While the domestic horse and donkey (along with their <a href="/facts/Feral_horse/fjFTtTHt">feral</a> descendants) exist worldwide, wild equine populations are limited to Africa and Asia. Wild equine social systems are in two forms; a <a href="/facts/Harem_(zoology)/V4dCP2kP">harem</a> system with tight-knit groups consisting of one adult male or <a href="/facts/Stallion/gJzJoz3b">stallion</a>/<a href="/facts/Donkeys/xkn4K2IJ">jackass</a>, several females or <a href="/facts/Mare/kmarTYrn">mares</a>/<a href="/facts/Donkeys/xkn4K2IJ">jennets</a>, and their young or <a href="/facts/Foal/73Eu9GYu">foals</a>; and a territorial system where males establish territories with resources that attract females, which associate very fluidly. In both systems, females take care of their offspring, but males may play a role as well. Equines communicate with each other both visually and vocally. Human activities have threatened wild equine populations. </p>