The plains zebra is the most abundant and widespread of extant wild equids, occurring throughout the tropical grasslands of East and southern Africa. Broad vertical stripes on the sides bend on the flanks to become horizontal across the rump.
Stripes extend down the rather short legs to broad hooves.
The stripes on the sides continue into the short, erect mane and meet under the belly. Stripes become less distinct on subspecies in the more southerly parts of its range. Plains zebra have a harem-type social organization. The Plains Zebra has differant sub-species, the Grants Zebra is the most common of these. The Grant Zebra is the most studied of the sub-phylums, most of what scientist know about the plains zebra species is from watching these animals in the wild and in zoos.