Page 168 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

Zebras are large black and white striped horse-like mammals belonging to the subgenus Hippoti-
gris in the genus Equus* which is in the family Equidae, which includes horses and asses. Zebras are
found in eastern and southern Africa. There are three species of zebra and nine subspecies, the largest
being the Grévy's zebra which is around 2.5 to 2.75 metres in length, stands 1.45 to 1.6 metres and
weighs around 350 to 450 kg. The smallest is the Moun-
tain zebra with a length of around 2.1 to 2.4 metres,
stands about 1.16 to 1.5 metres and weighs around 204 to
372 kg. (The Plains zebra is only slightly shorter)

With their black and white striped coats Zebras are a
very distinctive species. They are horse-like, with a long
narrow head and two large erect ears. Its large round eyes
are set high on its head allowing them to keep watch
above the grass when grazing. They have teeth pacifically
designed for grazing grass, with large incisors for clipping
the grass and rough molars and premolars for grinding.
They have a tall erect mane running from the crown of its
head down the full length of its long neck. They have a
short tufted tail and their legs are long and thin supported
*Genus equus (Zebra) by broad hooves. Unlike other equines with equally sized
legs, the Zebras’ front legs are slightly longer than its rear
Plains zebra legs. The Zebras colouration is predominately black. Its skin and fur coat
Subspecies are black, with white fur stripes running through it. While most wild ani-
Maneless zebra, mal’s coats are designed as a form of background camouflage, the Zebras
Grant's zebra coat seems designed to ward off the disease carrying horse fly. Scientists
have discovered the light reflected from the zebras mixed coat nulls the
Crawshay's zebra, fly’s detection of the zebra.
Chapman's zebra
Burchell's zebra The southern Zebras are divided into two distinct groups.
Quagga,† The Plains zebra found in grasslands across Eastern and southern
Selous' zebra Africa and the Mountain zebra, found in mountainous terrain often
Mountain zebra 2000 metres above sea level in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola. Both
Subspecies these species are sociable and live in close family groups, usually made up
of one stallion with several mares and their offspring. These groups usual-
Cape mountain zebra ly have their own home range; they are also nomadic and migratory and
Hartmann's moun can cover vast distances in search of food. For instance, during the rainy
tain zebra season the Plains subspecies Grant’s zebra are seen yearly migrating
Grévy's zebra across the Serengeti in herds numbering thousands.

Grévy’s zebras, inhabits sparsely wooded areas across Kenya and
Ethiopia. Males are solitary and territorial, though young males gather in small groups until they reach
puberty. The adult male’s territory will border fresh water streams and food rich areas, knowing fe-
males must cross it to access these resources. Although they mark the boundaries with bung piles, they
do tolerate other males accessing their territory, until the mating season, when they drive off any male
intruders. Grévy’s zebras are a promiscuous species. Males will often mate with several females during
the mating season. The females of the species live in small groups and are nomadic, moving from one
male’s territory to another. Females baring cubs will remain under the male’s protection until the cubs
are old enough to manage, then the females and cubs leave and they return to her nomadic lifestyle. Fe-
males care for the cubs within the group until the cubs are able to fend for themselves. Grévy’s zebras
are migratory, but will only migrate if food is scarce, if it’s not, they remain on their territory.

All zebras are herbivores and are primarily grass grazers but will also eat plants, shrubs and oc-
casionally strip small trees of their leaves. When good food is scarce they can survive for long periods
on lower-quality vegetation. Zebras communicate with one another with body language like, facial ex-
pressions and sounds such as, loud braying, barking sounds and soft snorts. They are preyed on by
most large predators like lions, hyenas, even crocodiles. However, they are agile and have a very power-
ful kick and this makes predators cautious especially if the zebras are in a herd. So a predator will nor-
mally stalk the herd and wait for a cub or adult to stray from the others. If spooked zebras will run and
can maintain a speed of 65km/h over long distances. As most large predators are short distance run-
ners, this speed and distance will usually keep most healthy zebras out of harm’s way.