Zebra
Zebra Facts
| Size | 43-62 inches (110-160 cm) (shoulder height) |
| Speed | Up to 25 mph (40 km/h) |
| Weight | 390-990 pounds (180-450 kg) |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years |
| Food | Plants |
| Predators | Lions, hyenas, leopards |
| Habitat | Tropical Africa |
| Order | Odd-toed ungulates |
| Family | Horses |
| Scientific name | Equus grevyi, zebra and quagga |
| Characteristics | Striped horse |
Main Characteristics
Zebras belong to the horse family. Their most striking feature is the black and white stripes in their fur. In search of grass and water, they form large herds and undertake long migrations across the African savannah. Unlike horses, they cannot be tamed.
Name
The name zebra derives from the word zebros. It comes from the Portuguese, Italian or Spanish languages. Zebros was the name for black-striped wild horses that lived in the south of Portugal and Spain in the Middle Ages. When the African continent was first discovered and traveled by sailors, the striped horses were given the name zebra.
Species
There are three different species: the Grevy's zebra, the mountain zebra and the plains zebra. Mountain zebras are closely related to the African wild ass. Plains zebras and Grevy's zebras, on the other hand, are related to the Asian donkey. The three species differ in size, weight, stripes and color.
Grevy's Zebra
The Grevy's zebra is the largest zebra. It has rather thin and narrow stripes.
Mountain Zebra
The mountain zebra is medium-sized and has rather broad stripes.
Plains Zebra
The plains zebra is the smallest of all. Unlike the others, it displays stripes of varying widths. Additionally, it frequently showcases dark brown or gray stripes amidst the black ones.
Distribution and Habitat
Zebras live in the south and east of Africa: in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ethiopia and South Africa. Their habitat is savannas, open grasslands, shrublands, rocky highlands and open forests.
Life Style
Zebras are diurnal herd animals. They spend about 60-80% of their time grazing. They're most active in the morning and afternoon and rest during the midday heat. They migrate long distances in search of fresh grass and water holes.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Zebras have a body length of 82-118 inches (210-300 cm), a shoulder height of 43-62 inches (110-160 cm) and a weight of 390-990 pounds (180-450 kg). Their tail is about 15-24 inches (40-60 cm) long.
• Black Stripes on White Fur - or Vice Versa?
Most zebras are primarily white, with only a few black stripes. Some, on the other hand, are primarily black and appear to have white stripes. So the question is: What is the base color of their fur? And what color are the stripes? Researchers believe that the hair follicles in zebras contain so-called color cells. Hair originates from the hair follicles, allowing it to naturally display various colors as it grows. The color cells are only missing or not active in their white hair. That's why the zebra is actually black with white stripes. The skin under their fur is solid black, not striped.
• Unique Stripe Pattern
At first glance, zebras all look the same. But not if you look closer. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern. They can recognize their family and friends not only by smell, but also by their stripes.
Zebra or Horse – What’s the Difference?
Apart from the black and white stripes, zebras and horses look very similar. However, there are more differences between these two species. In zebras, the mane is erect because the hair is very stiff. In horses it is soft and flowing - except for the Fjord horse. In zebras the ears are much larger and rounder, in horses they are smaller and tapered. The nose can be gray, brown, red, white or black in horses, but in zebras it is always black. The hooves also differ. Horses have much larger hooves. In zebras they are smaller because they frequently navigate through rough terrains with stones and rocks, making a more compact hoof structure necessary.
Diet
Zebras are herbivores. They eat over 90% grass. Sometimes they also eat leaves and bark.
Behavior
Social Behavior
Zebras are very social animals. They maintain close friendships and playfully bite each other to show affection. During their migrations, they form loose groups of several hundred animals. However, there are usually only about ten animals in a herd: the mares with their foals and a stallion who protects the herd. Male zebras that don't yet have their own herd form “bachelor groups” with 2-6 stallions.
Defense
Zebras alert each other and run away collectively when a predator comes near, as they are more powerful when united. Due to their strong, muscular body, they are very fast and can outrun many predators. But: That doesn't always work. When they can't escape, they attack by kicking and biting.
Why Do Zebras and Wildebeest Migrate Together?
Wildebeests frequently trail behind zebras in large numbers. Zebras consume the tall, low-nutrient grass, allowing the wildebeests to feed on the shorter, nutrient-rich grass they prefer. Additionally, the two species alert each other to potential threats from predators, benefiting from a mutual relationship.
Senses and Abilities
Why Do Zebras Have Stripes?
• Camouflage
It might seem that zebras haven't chosen their colors very cleverly. The combination of black and white can be easily perceived even at long distances. However, the stripes help confuse attackers who are already quite close. The heat in the savannah causes the air to shimmer and the outlines of the zebras become unclear. Predators struggle to accurately spot a single animal within a herd.
• Protection Against Insects
Another reason for their black and white stripes might be better protection against tsetse flies. The carriers of sleeping sickness have great difficulty recognizing a zebra with their compound eyes.
• Protection From Heat
Scientists have now found that the stripes also help make the heat more bearable.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, zebras can live 20-30 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Their natural enemies include lions, leopards, hyenas, African wild dogs and crocodiles.
People
Humans are the zebras' biggest enemy. Through the construction of settlements and roads, their habitat is being destroyed and reduced in size. Fences for farming and keeping livestock also prevent them from accessing important water sources.
Are Zebras Considered Endangered?
The only zebra that isn't (yet) threatened is the plains zebra. The Grevy's zebra is considered critically endangered. There are only 2,000 animals left. The mountain zebra is also endangered. There are only 35,000 of his species left in the wild.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Zebras play an important role in maintaining balance in nature. Due to the animals' preference for grass as their food source, herbivorous insects face a shortage of food and are unable to reproduce rapidly. They also distribute seeds through their droppings, from which new grasses, shrubs and trees can grow. As they migrate, they leave paths that guide to watering spots. This helps other animals in search of a drink to find their way.
Reproduction
Female zebras begin to reproduce when they're five years old. The gestation period is 10-12 months. At birth, the newborn foals already have the typical stripes and they can run with the herd just a few minutes later. After a week they start eating grass. However, they are nursed for a total of eleven months. When the colts are three years old, they leave the herd and form a “bachelor group”. The fillies stay with their mother.
Fun Facts
There are crosses between zebra and horse, but also between zebra and donkey. They're called Zorse (Zebra and Horse) and Zonkey (Zebra and Donkey). In our article Hinnies, Mules, Zonkeys and Zorses you can find out more about the crosses.
The Zebra Is Related To:
- Donkey
- Horse
Animals in the Same Biome:
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