It has large, rounded ears and numerous very narrow stripes. It stands 41-2 to 5 ft (140–150 cm) at the shoulder and weighs about 600 lb (270 kg). grevyi, is a large zebra found in E Africa. It has very broad stripes, which vary greatly in their pattern among the several subspecies, as well as among individuals of the same subspecies. It stands about 4 ft (120 cm) tall at the shoulder and has small ears. burchellii), is found throughout Africa S of the Sahara. The zebra's natural enemies are the lion and the leopard. Some authorities believe that the stripes evolved as visual identification to reinforce social bonds with other zebras, rather than for disguise or insect protection. They are swift runners, achieving speeds of up to 40 mph. The plains zebras usually mix with other grazing animals, such as wildebeest and antelopes. Zebra herds on the Serengeti of E Africa can be as large as 200,000 individuals, but all are organized in family groups led by a stallion. Most zebras inhabit open plains or brush country, while mountain zebras favor rocky hillsides. There are three zebra species the quagga, which became extinct in the late 19th cent., is not a separate species as was once thought but a variant of the plains zebra. It has a heavy head, stout body, short, stiff mane, and tufted tail. In size and body form it is intermediate between the larger horse and the smaller ass. It is distinguished by its striking pattern of black or dark brown stripes alternating with white. Close up of zebra tail: Joel Sartore.Zebra, herbivorous hoofed African mammal of the genus Equus, which also includes the horse and the ass. All for one and one for all! Credits – Close up of zebra: Medford Taylor. And if one of the group is wounded or injured, other zebras will circle around and attempt to drive off the hungry attacker. When under threat, these awesome animals form a semi-circle facing the attacker, and prepare to strike if need be.
When they are between one and three years old, males (or ‘stallions’) leave to join ‘bachelor herds’ (all-male groups), where they stay until they’re old enough and strong enough to compete for females.ĩ) As elegant and peaceful as they are, don’t be fooled – zebras can be aggressive animals, too! Stallions fight for females with piercing bites and powerful kicks that are strong enough to cause serious damage – and sometimes even kill!ġ0) Their fierce fighting skills and strong social bonds help to protect zebras from predators, which include lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs. They may team up with other grazers on their travels, too, such as antelope and wildebeest.Ĩ) Within a herd, zebras tend to stay together in smaller family groups, made up of a dominant male, several females (called ‘mares’) and their young (called ‘foals’). As they migrate to new feeding grounds, ‘super herds’ may form consisting of thousands of individuals. Super stealthy creatures, they’ll travel thousands of kilometres in search of green pastures where they can fill their bellies and quench their thirst!ħ) Zebras are social animals and live together in large groups, called herds. Their teeth are well adapted for grazing, with sharp incisors at the front of their mouth to bite the grass, and large molars at the back for crushing and grinding.Ħ) Zebras are constantly on the move for fresh grass to eat and water to drink. Because each individual’s stripes are unique, their stripes may also have a social purpose, helping zebras to recognise one other.ĥ) These cool creatures are herbivores and spend most of their day eating grass, and sometimes leaves, shrubs twigs and bark, too. Their stripes perhaps serve to dazzle and confuse predators and biting insects, or to control the animal’s body heat.
And their most famous feature? Their brilliant black-and-white striped coat, of course!Ĥ) So why do zebras have stripes? Well, scientists aren’t entirely sure. The Grevy’s zebra can be found in dry, semi-desert areas of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the mountain zebra lives in mountainous and hilly habitats in Namibia, Angola and South Africa.ģ) Closely related to horses, zebras have thick bodies, thin legs, a tufted tail, and a long head and neck sporting a short mane. Mountain zebra: Vulnerableġ) Our planet is home to three different species of zebra, the plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra and mountain zebra, all three species are native to Africa.Ģ) The most common species is the plains zebra, which roams grasslands and woodland of eastern and southern Africa. IUCN status: Plains zebra: Least Concern. We’re off to Africa to meet one of nature’s coolest looking creatures.