Close Relatives:
* Donkeys: Domesticated donkeys are closely related to horses and can even breed with them to produce mules and hinnies.
* Zebras: These striped equines are the closest wild relatives of horses and share a common ancestor.
* Asses: This broad term includes donkeys and wild asses, like the African wild ass and the Onager.
More Distant Relatives:
* Ancient Relatives: Fossils reveal a diverse array of extinct horse relatives, including the three-toed *Hipparion* and the smaller *Eohippus*.
Key Features:
All members of the Equidae share certain characteristics:
* Single-toed Hooves: Most species have evolved to have a single, strong hoof on each foot.
* Herbivorous Diet: They are plant-eaters, with specialized teeth adapted for grazing.
* Social Animals: Horses and their relatives generally live in social groups, though the size and structure of these groups can vary.
Further Exploration:
* If you're interested in learning more about the evolution of horses and their relatives, a great place to start is the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
* There are also numerous online resources, such as the website of the National Museum of Natural History, that offer information about the Equidae family.