page_title: Zebra
section_title: Extant species
hierarchical_section_title: Zebra / Taxonomy and evolution / Extant species
caption_attribution_description: Italiano: Fossil of Equus, an extinct mammal- Took the photo at Musee d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris
context_page_description: Zebras are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three extant species: the Grévy's zebra, plains zebra and the mountain zebra. Zebras belong to the subgenus Hippotigris and share the genus Equus with horses and asses, the three groups being the only living members of the family Equidae. Zebra stripes come in different patterns, unique to each individual. Several theories have been proposed for the function of these stripes, with most evidence supporting them as a form of protection from biting flies. Zebras inhabit eastern and southern Africa and can be found in a variety of habitats such as savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, shrublands and mountainous areas.
  Zebras are primarily grazers and can subsist on lower-quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by lions and typically flee when threatened but also bite and kick. Zebra species differ in social behaviour, with plains and mountain zebra living in stable harems consisting of an adult male or stallion, several adult females or mares, and their young or foals; while Grévy's zebra live alone or in loosely associated herds.
caption: Fossil skull of Equus mauritanicus
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