ZEBRA

Zebras are the visually striking Equines of Africa, known for their salt and pepper look. Although penguins, pandas, and skunks may share the same color-combo, Zebra’s stripes make it the creature that stands out from the crowd.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Perissodactyla
Family	Equidae
Genus	Equus

Zebras lie in the Equidae family, the family of horses and asses. The interesting thing is that the three share the same genus, Equus. But still, a zebra is much more than a horse with stripes. The zebra has only three extant species which are mentioned below.

Zebra Species

Names	Description
Plains zebra (Equus quagga)	Mainly found in the open woodlands of Africa. Their home ranges from Tanzania to Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. They are social species that tend to live in groups. 215 to 245 cm body length 110 to 145 cm shoulder height 175 to 385 kg weight
Mountain zebra (E.zebra)	Found in the mountains and highlands of Namibia and South Africa. They are also social species that tend to live in groups. 210 to 260 cm body length 116 to 146 cm shoulder height 205 to 425 kg weight
Grevy’s zebra (E.grevyi)	Natives to the scrublands of northern Kenya and east Africa. This species is solitary. They are named after France’s former king, Jules Grevy. 250 to 300 cm body length 125 to 160 cm shoulder height 350 to 450 kg weight

Physical Characteristics

Size and Weight: Size and weight vary among species. On average, the length is 6.9 to 9.8 ft. (175-260 cm), while it weighs between 200 to 450 kg (398-989 lbs).

Speed: They run at the speed of 50 km per hour (35 miles per hour).

Skull and Snout: Zebras have elongated skulls and short, black or brown-colored snouts.

Dentition: They have spud teeth, which may act as a grazing tool. Their large incisors are adapted for clipping grass, while molars and premolars are suited for grinding.

Body and Tail: It’s a creature with barrel shaped chest, long neck, erect manes, moveable ears and crested tails. Their front legs are larger than their hind legs. Each limb has a spaded toe covered in a single hard hoof.

Stripes: The black and white stripes of a zebra are its recognition marks. They are unique from each other, like the fingerprints of humans. These are black runnings on a white coat except for their belly.

There are many theories proposed to define the purpose of zebra’s stripes. The most supported one is that this lining acts as a deterrent for biting flies. These stripes help them in camouflage and also keep them cool in the sun.

Distribution and Habitat

All species of these striped animals are the natives of Africa. They have a wide range in East and South Africa. Gravey’s reside in the East, plains zebras in the east and south, while Mountain zebras are found in the southwest of Africa.

Habitat may vary from species to species. They usually inhabit treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands and are absent from the deserts and rainforests. Mountain zebras are found in mountains and rocky areas.

Diet and Digestion

Zebras are extremely mobile grazers. They primarily feed on grass but will eat shrubs and small trees if grass is scarce. They feed on the low quality, hard vegetation. These animals are hindgut fermenters, and their digestive system is adapted to tackle highly fibrous plants.

These equines need a lot of water. They live in moist environments and near water sources to fulfill this need. They can eat up to 15 hours a day. Approximately, they can sleep for 7 hours a day, standing during the day and lying during the night.

Behavioral Adaptations

Foraging Behavior

These water dependent animals intensively forage during wet winters. They may travel a long distance to wetter environments during the dry season. They can also consume less digestible forage, increasing the availability of more digestible forage for other grazing animals.

Social Behavior

The plains and mountain zebras make their family groups called Harems, consisting of a male stallion, many females and their offspring. Harem is led by an adult male called stallion which expands its home range by bringing mares from other harems.

Dominance hierarchy is set among harem females, high ranking females stay in groups for a long time. The grevy’s zebras tend to be solitary as compared to other species.

Territorial Behavior

These calm-looked animals are more aggressive. They set up their territories and mark them with dung piles. Whoever tends to be near their territory can bite them and make a kick with their front legs. Usually, fighting occurs between males to occupy mares. The females remain in the territory to be protected from the harassment of outsider males.

Defensive behavior

Zebras are preyed on by lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs. Catching a single zebra from the herd is difficult for predators due to their stripes. But if they trap a zebra, it becomes necessary for the zebra to defend its life. So, it makes biting and kicking strategy, and sideways running but at last captured.

Communication

These equines can communicate verbally and visually. Verbal communication involves barking, squealing, and snorting. Visuals involved flattened ears and a waving head of the stallion to predict the threat. They can rub their noses and heads as a greeting gesture. They can also groom each other by nipping and raking to strengthen their social bonds.

Reproduction and Parenting

A female zebra reaches sexual maturity at 2 years, while a male zebra becomes sexually mature at 6 years. Among plains and mountain zebras, adult females mate only with their harem stallion, while in Grevy’s zebra, females can mate with males of different territories. They can rarely mate with mares or donkeys; the product is called hembra or zonkey, respectively.

The gestation period lasts for 11 to 13 months. They usually produce one baby per litter. Offsprings are called colts or foals. The interesting thing about newborn colts is that they stand just after 6 minutes of birth and start running after 40 minutes. The mother nurses them for one year, even though they can’t drink until three months after birth.

Ecological Importance

Zebras are the pioneer grazers and play a significant role in balancing the ecosystems. They are beneficial for other grazers as they clean the top of coarse grasses that are difficult for other herbivores to digest.

They also play a role in keeping insects that may be pests at bay. It leads to more biodiversity.

Mortality rate and Lifespan

On average, the mortality rate of foals is 50% during the early two years of life. The Lifespan of a zebra is 20 to 25 years in the wild, while 25 to 30 years in captivity.

Threats

The natural predators of zebras are lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs.

Habitat loss and hunting are the largest threats to zebras, linked with human activities. Habitat loss is due to agricultural practices and human encroachment. In Ethiopia, people hunt zebras for their skin and meat. They also hunt them for medicinal purposes.

Disease attacks and droughts are also the causes of their sudden death.

Conservation Status and Efforts

Globally, around 2000 individuals are remaining, because 50% of the population has declined in the last 30 years. According to the IUCN, the conservation status of zebras is;

Grevy’s zebra is listed as Endangered.
Mountain zebra is listed as Vulnerable
Plains zebras are listed as Near-threatened.

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is strategically working for the protection of all zebra species with the help of the government and local communities. Their strategies include promoting livestock management, wildlife corridors, and conservation technology.

Zeby Fun Facts

They are single hoofed animals.
Their skin is black underneath the white coat with black stripes.
The milk of zebras is also black & white.
Newborn foals stand just after 6 minutes of birth.
Quagga, one of the extinct subspecies of plains zebra, had no stripes on the legs.
The breed of zebra and donkey is called zonkey.

Cultural Value

“A man without culture is like a zebra without stripes.”

Zebras have been featured in African art and culture for millennia, being depicted in the rock art of prehistoric Southern Africa. For the African diaspora, these black-and-white striped animals represent the politics of race and identity. It is the national animal of Botswana.

Zebras have been featured in many animated films such as Khumba, The Lion King, Madagascar and The Zou. It is also featured as “glittering creatures” in the Shona culture.

Do you remember Marty of Madagascar?

FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of zebras?

There are three main types of zebras: the Plains zebra, the Mountain zebra, and the Grevy’s zebra.

How do zebras protect themselves from predators?

Zebras rely on their speed, powerful kicks, and group vigilance to protect themselves from predators.

Why do zebras have stripes?

The stripes may help with camouflage, deter biting insects, and regulate body temperature.

What do zebras eat in the wild?

Zebras primarily eat grasses but also consume leaves, bark, and shrubs when necessary.

How do zebras communicate with each other?

Zebras communicate through vocalizations, body language, and facial expressions.

Where do zebras typically live?

Zebras are found in various habitats across Africa, including savannas, grasslands, and mountainous regions.

What is the social structure of a zebra herd?

Zebra herds are usually structured with a dominant male, several females, and their offspring.

How long do zebras live in the wild?

Zebras typically live for 20 to 25 years in the wild.

How do zebras migrate across the savanna?

Zebras migrate seasonally in search of water and fresh grazing areas, often traveling in large herds.

What are the main threats to zebra populations?

The main threats to zebras are habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock.

What are 10 interesting facts about zebras?

Zebras have unique stripe patterns, are highly social animals, can run up to 65 km/h (40 mph), communicate through sounds and facial expressions, live in Africa, have excellent eyesight, are herbivores, engage in mutual grooming, form strong family bonds, and are preyed upon by lions and hyenas.

What makes zebras special?

Zebras are special due to their distinctive black-and-white stripes, which are unique to each individual and serve various purposes like camouflage, temperature regulation, and social bonding.

What is the basic information about zebras?

Zebras are herbivorous mammals native to Africa, known for their black-and-white striped coats, social herds, and strong family bonds.

Do zebras live in hot or cold?

Zebras live in hot climates, primarily in the savannas, grasslands, and semi-desert regions of Africa.

Do zebras sleep at night?

Zebras sleep both during the night and day, but they remain alert to predators and typically sleep standing up in short intervals.

How long can zebras go without water?

Zebras can go for about two to three days without water, though they prefer to drink daily if possible.

What is the special ability of zebras?

Zebras have a special ability to see in color and have excellent night vision, which helps them detect predators.

What is the lifestyle of a zebra?

Zebras are social animals that live in herds, engage in grazing during the day, and rely on group cooperation for protection against predators.

How many teeth do zebras have?

Zebras have between 36 and 42 teeth, depending on their age and sex, which include incisors for cutting grass and molars for grinding it.

Learn More About Zebras

On this page, you are invited to explore our articles about the fascinating behaviors of zebras.

These articles answer common questions about zebras, including their diet, social structures, migration patterns, and interactions with their environment and other species.

Scroll down to discover some of the unique traits of zebras and understand why they behave the way they do.