Ungulates (clade Ungulata) are members of a diverse clade of primarily large mammals with hooves. These include odd-toed ungulates such as horses, rhinoceroses and tapirs, and even-toed ungulates such as cattle, pigs, giraffes, camels, sheep, deer, and hippopotamuses.

 

Appearance

The peculiarity of most ungulates is the development of their horns as a means of protection from predators and as a tournament weapon. Animals belonging to different branches of the"tree" of ungulates have different structures. The body consists of the head, neck, trunk, forelimbs, hind legs, and tail. On the head of mammals are located the oral cavity and the organs of vision, hearing, smell and taste.

The size of ungulates ranges from small to very large (elephants).

Distribution

Groups of ungulates unite more than 90 genera of animals distributed on all continents except Antarctica. They were introduced to New Zealand and Australia by humans as livestock. Some species of ungulates (sirens) live in the seas off the coast of continents and Islands.

Diet

These animals feed mainly on plant food, some are omnivores, such as pigs.

Reproduction

Males and females usually differ in size, color, and behavior. By the nature of reproduction, all ungulates` descendants are active from the very beginning and quickly grow up. In the litter, they usually have 1-2 young, they are born fully formed and are able to follow their mother within a few hours after birth.

In captivity

The lifespan of ungulates varies significantly depending on the species.

The most effective way to keep ungulates is semi-intensive. Its essence is the alternation of finding livestock in individual and group pens at different periods throughout the year. So in individual pens can be male producers during the rut (and individual males-constantly), females in the late prenatal, birth and initial period of feeding, young animals on artificial feeding. Being in pens of small areas, animals get used to the constant presence of humans and stop reacting negatively to people in general. They adapt to the daily routine, which reduces stress and generally has a positive effect on reproduction.

When transferred to adaptation pens of a large area, animals go wild, especially if they can see an example of their wilder relatives, even other species.

Hay comprises the bulk of the diet for most ungulates in captivity and should be available for most of the day rather than fed at intervals as meals.  Hay should be leafy and green, free of mold, dirt, excess weeds, and other foreign matter, and should not be overmature. Care should be taken so that hay contains no toxic chemicals, poisonous plants, traces of pests, or fungi, and is stored away from excessive heat.

Precautions should be taken if feeding silage products. If the silage was not processed or stored properly or contaminated by animal or meat products, it may contain fungi or bacteria that can produce lethal toxins.

Browse consists of leaves, bark, and branches of edible trees and shrubs. Animals the eat browse consume mostly the leaves. Browse can be cut during the growing season and then fed directly. In temperate areas, browse should be stored for winter and spring feeding. Browse can be stored dried, frozen, or as silage. Obtaining browse from a commercial provider is preferred. Appropriate species to feed are alder (black and grey), ash, aspen, bamboo, birch, blackberry, elm (field, wych),grapevine, hazel, hornbeam, lime, maple, hawthorn, nettle, plane tree, poplar (black), rose (dog), and willow, but not sycamore. Flowers and seeds from all browse species should not be fed unless it is known that they are safe.

In addition to hay, a pelleted diet that contains protein, minerals, and vitamins in concentrations adequate to meet the needs of domestic species and those wild species for which data are available should be offered. Depending on the nutritional status of the animal, ~0.5–1.5 kg should be fed per animal. Overfeeding can result in obesity.

Hay should be fed from a rack rather than off the ground for most species (elephants are an exception). Hay racks should be located at eye level for tall browsers such as giraffes and gerenuks. Pellets can be offered from a covered trough or (rubber) feed pans. Regularly feeding the pelleted diet in an animal’s holding area can facilitate close observation and easy capture. If possible, animals should be fed separately to ensure that each individual receives a similar amount of food. If feeding separately is not possible, at least two widely separated feeding stations may be necessary to reduce conflict and to ensure that subordinate animals obtain their share of food. Most ungulates should have a lick stone containing salt, vitamins, and minerals in their facility.

In addition to hay and pelleted diet, assorted fruits and vegetables often are fed to exotic ungulates. For most species, these items usually are not necessary except as an occasional treat; the amount should be limited to <5% of the total diet. The exception might be for those species that regularly feed on fruits and succulents in the wild.

 

 

 

 

Madoqua swaynei

One of the smallest antelopes in the world. Its body length is 45-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm. They weigh from 2 to 6 kg.

In captivity, Dikdik lives up to 10 years.

Pecari tajacu

The collared peccary stands around 510–610 mm (20–24 in) tall at the shoulder and is about 1.0–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in–4 ft 11 in) long. It weighs between 16 and 27 kg (35 and 60 lb).

These animals have a life span of up to 24 years, which was observed in captivity.

Gazella subgutturosa

Weight 17,5 – 43kg, length 940 – 1260 мм.

The lifespan of Goitered gazelles in the wild is 7 years, and in captivity they can live up to 10 years.

Oryx gazella

The body length can vary from 190 to 240 cm (75 to 94 in) and the tail measures 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 in). Male Gemsbok can weigh between 180 and 240 kg (400 and 530 lb), while females weigh 100–210 kg (220–460 lb).

The average life span is approximately 18 years in the wild, and 20 in captivity.

 

Nesotragus moschatus

Suni are around 12–17 inches (30–43 cm) high at the shoulder and weigh 10–12 pounds (4.5–5.4 kg).

Life span can reach up to 13 years.

Boselaphus tragocamelus

It stands 1–1.5 meters (3.3–4.9 ft) at the shoulder; the head-and-body length is typically between 1.7–2.1 meters (5.6–6.9 ft). Males weigh 109–288 kilograms (240–635 lb). Females are lighter, weighing 100–213 kilograms (220–470 lb).

The lifespan of the Nilgai is around ten years.

Equus quagga

The plains zebra stands at a height of 127–140 cm (4.17–4.59 ft) with a head-body length of 217–246 cm (7.12–8.07 ft) and a tail length of 47–56.5 cm (1.54–1.85 ft). Males weigh 220–322 kg (485–710 lb) while females weigh 175–250 kg (386–551 lb).

In captivity zebras can live for up to 40 years.

Equus ferus falabella

The height of Falabella horses is from 40 to 75 cm. The weight ranges from 20-60 kg.

Equus ferus pony Shetland

The ponies range in height at the withers from approximately 70 cm (28 in) to a maximum of 107 cm (42 in).

Sus scrofa domesticus minipig

Typically, most breeds of miniature pigs will range from the minimum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) to 200 pounds (91 kg).

Life expectancy – 14-21 years (average 15-18).