1000+ images about Zebra, Zebras, plains zebra, the Grévy's zebra, mountain zebra on Pinterest | Unique, Habitats and Stripes Pinterest • The world’s catalog of ideas Zebra, Zebras, plains zebra, the Grévy's zebra, mountain zebra Zebra, Zebras are several species of African equids (horse family) united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns, unique to each individual. There are three species of zebras: the plains zebra, the Grévy's zebra and the mountain zebra. various anthropogenic factors have had a severe impact on zebra populations, in particular hunting for skins and habitat destruction. Grévy's zebra and the mountain zebra are endangered. 106 Pins803 Followers Zebra | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants Equus zebra, E. quagga, E.

grevyi CLASS: Mammalia (Mammals) SPECIES: zebra (mountain zebra), quagga (plains zebra), grevyi (Grevy’s zebra) SUBSPECIES: 7 ABOUT Despite their appearance, zebras aren’t just black and white. They are sturdy, spirited animals that are a study in contrasts: willful and playful, social and standoffish, resilient and vulnerable. Their life in a herd can be complex, yet they also find safety in numbers. They are prey for predators, but they are by no means shrinking violets when it comes to defending themselves. Read between the lines, and you’ll discover that the world of the zebra is colorful indeed! Zebras are equids, members of the horse family. They have excellent hearing and eyesight and can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour). They also have a powerful kick that can cause serious injury to a predator, like a lion, a hyena, or an African wild dog.

Usually the lead male of the herd, called a stallion, sounds the alarm if danger is spotted and stays at the back of the group to defend against predators if necessary, while the mares (females) and foals (youngsters) run away. Zebras often trot when moving to new pastures, which is a fairly fast but easy gait for them to use over the long distances they may have to travel. Their hard hooves are designed to withstand the impact of their body weight and to run easily over rocky ground. When resting at night, zebras lie down while one stands watch to prevent an ambush. Stripes: White with black or black with white? This is one of the most-asked questions about zebras. So what's up with the stripes? Zebras are generally thought to have white coats with black (sometimes brown) stripes. That's because if you look at most zebras, the stripes end on their belly and toward the inside of the legs, and the rest is all white. However (there had to be a catch, right?), some zebras are born with genetic variations that make them all black with white stripes, or mostly dark with the striped pattern on just part of their coats.

And as it turns out, zebras have black skin underneath their hair. So it depends on how you look at it! So, why the stripes? They serve as a kind of protection from predators! When zebras are grouped together, their combined stripes make it hard for a lion or leopard to pick out one zebra to chase. Zebra stripes are unique to each individual, and researchers in the field have used zebras’ individual stripe patterns for identification. It might seem like a zebra is a zebra, but there are three different species: plains, mountain, and Grevy’s zebras. Different zebra species have different types of stripes, from narrow to wide. In fact, the farther south on the African plains you travel, the farther apart the stripes on the zebras get! The basic form of zebras—a large head, sturdy neck, long legs, a dorsal stripe along the spine and down a tasseled tail, and bristly mane—is universal. No zebra, or other wild equid, has a forelock.

The Grevy’s zebra is the largest, weighing from 770 to 990 pounds (350 to 450 kilograms) and measuring up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) at the shoulder. Its thick neck and large, round ears give the Grevy’s zebra the most mule-like physique. The Grevy’s zebra also has the thinnest stripes, extending all the way down to their white belly; on the hindquarters the stripes are vertical until above the hind legs. A mountain zebra has vertical stripes on the neck and torso, which graduate to wider—and fewer—horizontal bars on the haunches. It has a gridiron pattern on the rump, and its white underside has a dark stripe that runs the length of the belly. A mountain zebra also has a distinctive dewlap on the throat that looks a bit like an Adam’s apple. The plains zebra is the most abundant and the smallest of the three zebra species. Some subspecies have a stripe pattern different from all others: brownish “shadow” stripes between the black stripes on their coat.

HABITAT AND DIET Different zebras have different habitats: Grevy’s zebras live in semi-arid grassland habitat in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Mountain zebras, as their name implies, inhabit rocky, arid slopes in Namibia and Angola. Plains zebras, which are the most abundant of the three zebra species, are found from the grasslands of East Africa to the scrubby woodlands of southern Africa. They are one of Africa’s most successful and adaptable large herbivores. A subspecies of the plains zebra, the Grant’s zebra, is famous for its spectacular migrations during the rainy season in the Serengeti, when as many as 10,000 of these animals can be seen journeying together in congregated herds. Zebras are herbivores and feed mostly by grazing on grasses, although they also might browse a bit on the leaves and stems of bushes. They graze for many hours each day, using their strong front teeth to clip off the tips of the grass. Their back teeth then crush and grind the food. Spending so much time chewing wears the teeth down, so those teeth keep growing all their lives.

As the dry season arrives and the grasses die back, zebra herds travel to find more food and water holes for drinking. Most zebras are considered nomadic, without specific territories. The exception is the Grevy's zebra. Stallions of this species mark out territories with urine and dung. The mares, their foals, and immature males wander through as they wish. If food becomes scarce, though, the stallions leave their territories for a while and travel with the larger herds. Zebras at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are fed hay, alfalfa, and carrots. FAMILY LIFE Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours: Plains and mountain zebras are social herd animals, living in family groups with a stallion, several mares, and their offspring. During certain times of the year, these groups gather together to form loosely associated herds of up to several hundred, but the family groups still stay together within these larger groups. Grevy’s zebras do not have a herd system, and males and females have no permanent bonds. Grevy’s zebra stallions establish territories, with mares crossing through them to breed and foal.

Once the foals are old enough to travel, the mares usually leave the protection of the stallion’s territory to continue their nomadic lifestyle. Zebras communicate with one another with facial expressions and sounds. They make loud braying or barking sounds and soft snorts and whuffs. The position of their ears, how wide open their eyes are, and whether their mouths are open or their teeth are bared all mean something. Ears flat back, for example, means trouble, or you better follow orders! Zebras also reinforce their bonds by grooming each other. You might see two zebras standing head to back, apparently biting each other, but they are really only nibbling on each other with their teeth to pull out loose hair and get a good scratch. Like domestic horses, zebras put a good deal of energy into raising their offspring. Zebra foals have soft, fuzzy fur, and their stripes are usually brown and white at first. Their legs are already almost as long as an adult zebra’s and they can walk just 20 minutes after birth and can run after an hour! This is important, since the mare needs to move with the herd to find food and water.

She cannot leave the foal behind, so it must be up and running quickly in order to stay with the family. Foals must be able to recognize their mother from birth in order to survive. A foal learns its mother’s stripe pattern in order to follow her. Mares usually do not adopt other foals, so there would be no chance of getting food from anyone but Mom. Mothers often separate from the herd a short distance so that their foals can imprint on them. Once the foal can readily identify its mother, the mare and her foal return to the herd for protection. AT THE ZOO Two Chapman’s zebras were first exhibited at the San Diego Zoo in 1924, followed by a Grevy’s zebra male received in October 1940. Today, the Zoo is home to a small herd of Grevy’s zebras in our Northern Frontier, and a young Grant’s zebra named Zari is one of our animal ambassadors. Guests can get close to Zari during our Animals in Action program or see her with her Mediterranean donkey companion, Sophia, in the Zoo’s Urban Jungle.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, you can view a herd of Grevy’s zebras from the Africa Tram Safari. Work is also underway on a new field exhibit for our group of Hartmann’s mountain zebras, and when it is complete you can see the similarities—and differences—in the two species for yourself. For an extra element of fun, the Safari Park is also home to an animated, digital zebra named Robert who serves as the Park’s “spokes-critter.” Guests can chat with Robert and ask him all sorts of questions about zebras. He’ll have you laughing in no time! You'll find Robert holding court in the Park's Nairobi Station. CONSERVATION There are some threats—loss of habitat, poaching, and disease—that zebras can’t outrun. With a wild population of about 25,000, the mountain zebra is classified as threatened. The Cape mountain zebra came very close to extinction as a result of hunting and competition with domestic cattle. In 1937, Mountain Zebra National Park was established in South Africa, where only 47 Cape mountain zebras remained. Their numbers have now increased to several hundred, with the majority still in the national park.

The endangered Grevy’s zebra’s population has been ravaged by anthrax outbreaks, dropping its ranks to an estimated wild population of 2,250. San Diego Zoo Global is a member of the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, an independent wildlife conservation organization in Kenya, and our researchers are working with other conservation groups to help preserve the population. As of August 2012, we'd had 128 Grevy's zebra births at our facilities. You can help, too. Every weekend at the San Diego Zoo we offer an opportunity to hand-feed our Masai giraffes for a $10 donation. The money raised goes to the Northern Rangelands Trusts in Kenya and the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, both of which have a major focus on helping zebras. Through the generosity and participation of guests at the Zoo’s giraffe feeding, donations have brought much-needed help in vaccinating zebras against anthrax in Kenya and funding other needs.

Sounds Zebra Facts Zebra Facts By Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor | October 17, 2014 03:25pm ET MORE Credit: Mogens Trolle | Shutterstock Zebras are single-hoofed animals that are native to Africa. Zebras are very closely related to horses and donkeys; in fact, they are in the same genus, Equus. The most prominent feature of zebras is the bold patterns on their coats. Zebras are generally thought to have white coats with black or brown stripes, according to the San Diego Zoo , because the stripes end at their bellies and the inner side of the legs, which are white. However, zebras have black skin under their white coats! Each species of zebra has a different general pattern of stripes. The Grevy's zebra has very thin stripes. The mountain zebra has vertical stripes on its neck and torso, but horizontal stripes on its haunches. Some subspecies of plains zebras have brownish "shadow" stripes between the black stripes, according to the San Diego Zoo. It is believed that the zebra's stripes work like camouflage, according to the National Geographic .

When zebras stand together, it is harder for predators to determine how many zebras are in the group. The stripes may also make the zebra appear unattractive to smaller predators, such as bloodsucking horseflies, which can spread disease. In addition, the stripes may work as a natural sunscreen. Each zebra's stripes are unique. Just as no two human fingerprints are alike, no two zebras have the same stripe pattern. Size The largest zebra is the Grevy's zebra, according to the San Diego Zoo . It weighs 770 to 990 lbs. (350 to 450 kilograms) and is around 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall from shoulder to hoof. Their thick bodies make them look like mules with stripes. Mountain zebras are from 3.8 to 4.9 feet (116 to 150 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 529 to 820 lbs. (240 to 372 kg), according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology .

Plains zebras are 3.6 to 4.8 feet (1.1 to 1.5 m) at the shoulder and weigh up to 770 lbs. (350 kg), according to the African Wildlife Foundation . Habitat Though they all live in Africa, each species of zebra has its own home area. Plains zebras live in the treeless grasslands and woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. The Grevy's zebra lives in in the arid grasslands of Ethiopia and northern Kenya. The mountain zebra is found in South Africa, Namibia and Angola. Habits Plains zebras and mountain zebras live in family groups led by a stallion, with several mares and offspring. Family groups (known as harems) sometimes get together to form loosely associated herds, according to the San Diego Zoo. However, Grevy's zebras don't have herds. Instead, stallions establish territories and mares cross into them to breed and give birth. Once the foals are old enough to travel, they and their mothers move on. Zebras have several ways they communicate with one another.

Facial expressions, such as wide-open eyes or bared teeth, all mean something. They also bark, bray, snort or huff to get their point across. Even the position of their ears can signal their feelings, according to the San Diego Zoo. For example, ears flattened back means trouble. Another habit of zebras is mutual grooming, which they do to strengthen their bonds with each other. Known predators of zebras include lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. When danger approaches, the stallion will alert the others with a high-pitched snort, according to the University of Michigan. He will stand his ground while the rest of the family runs away in zigzag fashion. If he must fight, he will lower his head with neck outstretched and teeth bared, prepared to bite. However, running away is the usual tactic, sometimes accompanied by a defensive kick. The kick can be powerful, though, and can cause serious injury to a predator. Diet Zebras eat mostly grass and will travel up to 1,800 miles in search of food, according to the African Wildlife Foundation . Some zebras also eat leaves and twigs.

Offspring Female zebras carry their young for a gestation period of 12 to 14 months. Baby zebras are called foals. When they are born, foals weigh around 55 to 88 pounds (25 to 40 kg), according to the San Diego Zoo . Soon after birth, foals are able to stand up and walk. The young zebra gets its nutrition from its mother's milk and will continue to nurse throughout its first year. Zebras become fully mature at 3 to 6 years old and will have a lifespan of around 25 years. Classification/taxonomy Some experts say that there are three species of zebras — Grevy's zebra, plains zebra and mountain zebra — and that Hartmann's zebra is a subspecies of mountain zebra. Other experts say Hartmann's zebra is a separate species. For example, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says genetic analysis does not support the hypothesis that Hartmann's zebra is a separate species. The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), a service of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, on the other hand, lists four species.

Likewise, the IUCN says a 2008 study of 17 plains zebra populations that represented five of the six subspecies found very little differentiation among them and concludes that the subspecies splits may be arbitrary. ITIS, however, lists six subspecies of plains zebra. The taxonomy of zebras, according to ITIS, is: Kingdom: Animalia Equus hartmannae (Hartmann's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra) Equus zebra (Cape mountain zebra, Mountain zebra) Equus quagga (Plains zebra) Equus quagga boehmi (Grant's zebra) Equus quagga borensis (Half-maned zebra) Equus quagga burchellii (Zululand zebra, Damara zebra, Burchell's zebra, Bontequagga) Equus quagga chapmani (Chapman's zebra) Equus quagga crawshayi (Crawshay's zebra) Equus quagga quagga (Quagga; extinct) Conservation Status Each species of zebra has its own conservation status.

According to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, the plains zebra is not endangered , while the mountain zebra is considered vulnerable and the Grevy's zebra is endangered. The Red List also lists Hartmann's zebra (as a subspecies of mountain zebra) as vulnerable. The mountain zebra is considered vulnerable because its population is low and susceptible to decreasing. According to the IUCN , the mountain zebra has a population of only around 9,000 adults. Though the population of the Grevy's zebra is stable, it is considered endangered because its numbers are so small. The Grevy's zebra has a population of just 1,966 to 2,447, according to IUCN . The quagga, considered since 1984 to be a subspecies of plains zebra based on genetic evidence, has been extinct since the 19th century, when the last one died at the Amsterdam Zoo in 1883.

Additional resources EDGE :: Mammal Species Information << Previous (EDGE): Pygmy Spotted Skunk Next (EDGE): Aoudad >> Fact The function of a zebra’s stripes has been hotly debated. Many researchers state that the striped hide serves as camouflage by helping to break up the outline of the animals, particularly when they are viewed through long grass or the branches of bushes. Others argue that the stripes facilitate group cohesion and socialisation – there is some evidence that zebras are drawn closely to one another by such a pattern, while non-striped equids (horses and asses) maintain greater distances. It is believed that the equine ancestor of horses, asses and zebras was striped, but these have subsequently been lost during the evolution of the other two groups. Evolutionary Distinctiveness Shoulder height: 116-150 cm Weight: 240-372 kg All three species of zebra are characterised by distinctive black and white stripes, the function of which is still being debated. The pattern of striping in mountain zebras is intermediate between that of Grevy’s zebra and Burchell’s zebra.

The stripes on the body are generally narrower and more numerous than those of Burchell’s zebra, with no sign of shadow (faint) stripes between them. The wide horizontal stripes on the rump are broader than those of the other zebras. Mountain zebras are also the only zebra species to possess a dewlap, or skin fold on their throats, a feature that is most developed in males. The underparts are generally white, although there is a mid-ventral black stripe on the chest and belly. The Cape mountain zebra is usually smaller than Hartmann’s mountain zebra, with wider black stripes. Ecology Both subspecies are generally diurnal, and are most active during the early morning and late afternoon to sunset. Individuals spend more than half the daylight period feeding. The diet consists mostly of grass, although browse (leaves and bark) is occasionally consumed as well. The animals generally drink once or twice per day. Hartmann’s mountain zebra have a grazing area of 6-20 km² during winter and considerably smaller summer areas. The home ranges of Cape mountain zebras are thought to range from around 3-16 km².

The animals generally occur in small non-territorial groups with overlapping home ranges. Most groups contain a single adult male stallion and one to five mares with their young. Sometimes groups join to form temporary herds of 30 or more individuals. Stallions have been known to maintain control of their group for more than 15 years, but they may be ousted by combat with a younger male. Bachelor groups consisting of young males or old stallions that have lost their groups commonly form. There is a strict hierarchy amongst males in bachelor groups, and between females in breeding groups. Breeding occurs throughout the year with birth peaks occurring in December–January for Cape mountain zebra, and in November–April for Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Females give birth to a single young every 1-3 years, after a gestation period of approximately one year. The young are weaned at around 10 months and leave the natal group at 13-37 months. Males are capable of holding a breeding group at 5-6 years. Females produce their first foals at 3-6 years and may remain reproductively active until they are 24 years old.

Habitat As common name implies, mountain zebra are generally found on slopes and plateaus in mountainous areas. The Cape mountain zebra occurs at up to 2,000 m but moves to lower elevations in the winter. Hartmann’s mountain zebra sometimes wanders between mountains and salt flats. Distribution Namibia, and western and southern South Africa. Some individuals may be present in southwestern Angola. The Cape mountain zebra occurs in south-western parts of South Africa (Eastern and Western Cape Provinces). Hartmann’s mountain zebra occurs in Namibia and the Namaqualand region of South Africa (Northern and Eastern Cape Provinces). View this species distribution with the Google Earth plug-in Population Estimate In 1998 it was estimated that approximately 1,200 Cape mountain zebra survived, of which around 542 occurred in national parks, 491 in provincial nature reserves, and 165 in other reserves. The same year, 25,059 Hartmann’s mountain zebra were estimated to survive in Namibia. The size of the South African population was unknown, but probably numbered fewer than 500.

Population Trend The population suffered massive declines over the past century, but now appears to be stabilising. Some populations are slowly increasing in response to conservation measures. Status Classified as Endangered (EN A1b) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Cape Mountain zebra is classified as Endangered (EN C2a) and Hartmann’s mountain zebra is classified as Endangered (EN A1a). Threats The main threats to the species are from loss of habitat to agriculture, competition with domestic livestock, hunting and persecution. Cross-breeding between the two subspecies is considered to be a potential threat in South Africa (where both subspecies occur), since this would decrease the genetic diversity of the species. The Cape mountain zebra suffered a devastating decline in South Africa during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as a result of excessive hunting for its skin and loss of habitat to agriculture. By the 1930s it was on the brink of extinction – a 1937 census counted just 45 individuals. The population has increased since the establishment of national parks in the localities where the few remaining zebra survived.

Hartmann’s mountain zebra suffered massive population declines during the 1950s and 1960s, primarily due to persecution from an expanding livestock industry, which regarded the zebras as a nuisance and a competitor for scarce grazing and water. This subspecies continues to come into conflict with livestock farmers, particularly during drought years, when resources are in short supply. The Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism has therefore encouraged the commercial use of mountain zebras to provide an incentive (or at least to promote tolerance) for their conservation on farmland. In Namibia, mountain zebras that occur on freehold land are de facto owned by the landholder. However, this policy has resulted in considerable off-take pressure in some areas and may even have causedlocalised population declines. Conservation Underway The Cape mountain zebra is listed on Appendix I of CITES, and Hartmann’s zebra is listed on Appendix II of CITES. Hartmann’s mountain zebra is a Protected Species in Namibia, with all forms of use and trade subject to permit control. Today, the majority of Cape mountain zebras occur in publicly-owned protected areas such as national parks and provincial nature reserves.

Important populations occur in the Mountain Zebra National Park (est. 1937), the Karoo Nature Reserve, the Gamka Mountain (Provincial) Nature Reserve (est. 1971), and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, which was restocked with zebra from Mountain Zebra National Park after its original population was driven to extinction in the early 1980s. Additional populations occur in at least ten further protected areas. The numbers maintained by private landowners have increased considerably in recent years. Many of the privately owned populations of Cape mountain zebras have increased to the extent that the owners are making animals available for re-establishment in new areas. All populations of the Cape mountain zebra are monitored by Cape Nature Conservation and South Africa National Parks, who maintain a comprehensive database on the status of the subspecies. The population of this subspecies is increasing at a rate of approximately 9.6% per year as a result of conservation efforts.

In Namibia, more than 3,600 Hartmann’s zebra occur in four protected areas larger than 1,000 km² (Skeleton Coast Park, Etosha National Park, Namib-Naukluft Park - the most important protected area for this subspecies - and Ai-Ais-Hunsberg Park complex). This subspecies also occurs in a number of smaller parks and on communal lands. Conservancies cover almost all of Hartmann’s zebra’s range in northwestern Namibia. Conservancies aim to manage wildlife sustainably, and typically become responsible for guarding and monitoring wildlife populations and allocating land and other resources to wildlife. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) authorises off-takes on the basis of quota submissions from conservancies and on population monitoring conducted by (MET). In northwest Namibia, around 7,000 km² of mountain zebra habitat already forms part of registered conservancies, and new conservancies are also being established. Virtually all Hartmann’s zebra in South Africa were originally reintroduced from Namibian stock. A small number occur in Richtersveld National Park, which borders the Ai-Ais Nature Reserve in Namibia.

A few occur on private land in Western Cape Province, and the species is present in two nature reserves in Eastern Cape Province and also on a number of private properties. Conservation Proposed Conservation goals for the Cape mountain zebra are to increase population numbers by reinforcing existing populations and by translocating groups to establish new populations within each subpecies’ former range. Mountain Zebra and Karoo National Park populations (two important cape mountain zebra populations) in particular, should be expanded. Conservancies on commercial farmland are expected to play an increasingly important role in the protection of mountain zebra habitat. The development of capacity to conserve mountain zebras in the private sector should be encouraged. The conservation agencies need to cooperate to provide information on key conservation issues to private owners, for example, in the form of circulars and articles in the popular conservation literature. This is particularly important for Hartmann’s zebra in South Africa, where more than 80 percent are in the hands of private landowners. The protected are system in Namibia should be improved, with better controls for poaching introduced. Promotion of conservancies on communal land should be encouraged here.

Promoting maintenance of mountain zebras on farmland is also important since more than 50 percent of national population occurring on several hundred individually managed farms. This is particularly important during times of drought when competition between zebras and livestock may become significant. Translocation guidelines must be made widely available to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated (e.g. not translocating enough individuals) Managers and those providing animals for reintroductions are also encouraged to maintain distance between populations of Cape mountain zebra and Hartmann's mountain zebra, to prevent interbreeding and subsequent loss of genetic diversity. Further research into the genetic status of the two subspecies, the effects of disease and the improvement of censusing techniques are also important. Lastly, conflict between farmers and the zebras should be studied, with the aim of reducing poaching. Links Zebra | Basic Facts About Zebras | Defenders of Wildlife Home | Wild Places & Wildlife | Fact Sheets | Zebra | Basic Facts About Zebras Basic Facts About Zebras Closely related to horses and donkeys, the zebra (subgenuses Hippotigris and Dolichohippus) is best known for its black and white striped body. In fact, zebra stripe patterns are unique to each individual.

These stripes are believed to be camouflage devices that help zebras hide well in the grass. © Paul Higham Diet Zebras are herbivorous and primarily eat a variety of grasses. They are also known to eat shrubs, herbs, twigs, leaves and bark. Population Overall, plains zebras number at around 750,000. Historically, there were over 15,000 Grevy's zebras. However, there are only about 2,500 remaining today. There are 600-700 cape mountain zebras and around 800-1300 Hartmann's mountain zebras in the wild. Range Plains zebra are found on the savannas from Sudan to northern Zimbabwe in eastern Africa. Grevy's zebras are now mostly restricted to parts of northern Kenya. Mountain zebras occur in southwestern Africa with cape mountain zebras in South Africa and Hartmann's mountain zebras in Namibia and Angola.

Behavior Zebras as very social animals and live in large groups called 'harems.' Plains and mountain zebras live in harems that are made up of one stallion and up to six mares and their young, while Grevy's zebras come together as groups for short periods of time. Sometimes herds come together to form temporary groups of up to 30 members. Zebras sleep standing up, and only when they are in groups that can warn them of danger. If they spot a predator, they will bark or whinny loudly to warn the others in the group. Reproduction Zebra Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia Animal Facts Encyclopedia Animals A to Z zebra Facts A glorious fixture of the African landscape, the zebra is a very flashy member of the normally mousy-colored horse family. Sporting a robust body of bold stripes, the zebra spends its busy life on the move seeking the best grazing in the mostly dusty world of the African savanna. Because its skin is dark, many experts suggest that the zebra is a black (sometimes brown) furred animal with white stripes, while others will argue that the zebra has black stripes on a white field, pointing out the animals white undersides.

No matter, the effect is dazzling, and provides this gregarious herd animal with a confusing defense of fluctuating dark and light motion. When a group of zebras rumbles passed a lion, leopard or cheetah, it is virtually impossible for the predator to pick out just one individual target. For the zebra, as is the case with many herd animals, there is great security in numbers. There are 3 main species of zebra. The most familiar are the plains zebras of which there are 5 subspecies each with slight variations in not only stripe pattern but color as well, some being decidedly brown instead of black. Of these, the Grant's, a hearty animal true, bold black and white stripes that grow wider as they reach the rump, is the classic zebra in type. Although there are some more populous sub-species, and interbreeding occurs, the Grants remains one of the most iconic sights on the African plains. The mountain zebras consist of 2 subspecies most easily distinguished by the fishbone pattern across the top of the rump. Mountain zebras also have a dewlap - a flap of loose skin at the throat, the function of which is unclear.

Finally, the Grevy's zebra is in its own sub genus and is more donkey-like. It has thinner more numerous, and closely spaced stripes, often brown in color. All the zebra species are herd animals, highly social and dependent on the camouflaging effect of a mass of striped bodies for survival. Constantly moving, always alert for danger, zebras have surprisingly good eyesight, and it is believed that, despite being monochrome themselves, they actually see the world around them in full color. - Zebra Facts Why does a zebra have stripes? Even at the edge of a watering hole there is danger, but zebras love a crowd. The herd instinct draws them together, the exquisite skin often keeps them in one piece in more ways than one. Imagine a crouching lion or hidden crocodile trying to select just one target in a dazzling sea of stripes. For well-camouflaged animals such as the zebra, it is more often movement and not the outline of a form that attracts the predator to an individual. A stilted gait, the bobbing head that comes with a lame leg, a stumble, a hesitation, the curtain of healthy companions rush away and the target is revealed.

But despite being every bodies favorite meal, the plains zebra is an extraordinarily successful animal, and though nature channels are rife with scenes of tragic endings, the majority of zebras lead long lives of 15 to 20 years. Even with territories dwindling as human-kind encroaches, the plains zebra herds are over 3/4 of a million animals strong. - Zebra Facts zebra reproduction Zebra mothers and foals The very social zebra requires the safety and comfort of a herd to survive. Two types of zebra herds exist, one being made up of a "harem" of females and their foals escorted by 1 stallion, the other being a "bachelor herd" of males who are either too young, too old, or too timid to gather a harem of their own. Stallions are males at least 5 years of age who have fought with other males for the right to accompany and mate with the females in the harem. The females have a hierarchy and will often walk in line in the order in which they joined the group. The senior mare will make most of the decisions for the herd, leading them to pastures and watering holes.

The stallion will bring up the rear or patrol the flanks on the lookout for predators and other males who might steal his mares away. Pregnancy lasts for a year and the newborn struggles to its feet in a matter of minutes. The skull of a newborn zebra is less than 1/2 the length of its mothers, but the babies legs are 95% the length of hers. Speed really matters in the perilous world of a baby zebra and within moments of birth the infant is on its feet and ready to run, keeping to the center of the herd as much as possible and dodging the large hungry jaws of cheetahs, hyenas, lions and crocodiles on a daily basis. The mother does the parenting and will nurse the foal for up to 18 months. Young males will leave the herd at between 1 and 2 years of age to join a herd of bachelors. Likewise, young females will leave when they come into their first estrus joining with a new dominant male who has chased away all suitors.

Because both the males and the females leave their original herd, the harems that are formed are actually groups of unrelated females who form strong bonds and live together as a family, usually their entire adult lives. - Zebra Facts This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in Vote Here for Your Favorite Animal! Pick Your Fav! fight club and the "super herd" In some regions where populations are large, the plains zebras social structure can be rather complex. Multiple stallions with their harems and youngsters in tow, will come together to form a "super herd" of up to 300 individuals. When a bachelor herd approaches a "super herd" the stallions greet them as a unit and work together to fight them off. When the battles are over the stallions will return to their own harems. Within the "super herd" the harem structure remains intact with each mare remaining devoted to only her stallion, and each stallion keeping to his own mares. - Zebra Facts zebra identification guide - a tale of some tushies Look to the rear when trying to identify a zebra species or subspecies.

Our first example is the broad black stripes of the famous Grant's zebra (the rare Selous zebra is similar). Second: The 2-toned "shadow" stripes, and sometimes stripe- less legs of the Burchell's. (the Chapman's and Crawshay's zebras are similar) Third: The Grevy's has narrow, close-set, often brown lines, a prominent dorsal stripe with white outline and plush dark dorsal hair. The stripes do not go under the belly. Fourth: The "fish bone", or "gridiron" pattern across the top of the rump of the mountain zebra. The mountain zebra tends to have the biggest variation in stripe width across the body (see small inset photo) with narrow, close-set stripes on the ribs changing abruptly to broad, wide-set stripes on the sides of the buttocks. Stripes do not go under the belly. Without a top view you can usually still identify the mountain zebra from the side- look for the tips of the fish bones! -Zebra Fact which zebra is this? So which zebra species is the mother/son duo in the photo to the left? Yes! - A Grevy's zebra mare and foal.

grant's zebra Beefy build, thick neck, big, broad, black stripes it is the Grant's zebra. A mother and baby Grant's zebra in glorious black and white! Just look at the length of that foals legs - baby you were born to run!. Burchell's zebra If the zebra has the Grant's sturdy build, but thinner two-toned stripes it is one of three subspecies. The Burchell's zebra, the Chapman's zebra and the Crawshay's zebras occasionally inter-breed and make positive identification tricky, but of the three, the Burchell's is the most common. In fact, the Burchell's is the most populous of all the zebra species. This is most likely a Burchell's zebra mare and foal. - Zebra Facts! a few more zebra facts Contrary to some claims, zebras, like all other equines, identify each other by smell and vocalization, not by their stripes. The zebras stripes make it more difficult for predators to target one individual out of the herd. Albino zebras occasionally occur in the wild.

Often called "golden zebras" they are not true albinos, but have pale tan or golden stripes and light brown or even blue eyes. Scientific Classification: Where Do Zebras Live | Zebras Habitat Facts for Kids Where Do Zebras Live | Zebras Habitat Where do zebras live? It’s a tricky question for those who’d never been to any forest rather they have only attended these animals behind the bars in zoos. This article demonstrates some of the most imperative zebra habitat facts and its widespread distribution. One of the most common zebra species is plains zebras that inhabits across southern Ethiopia, Angola and South Africa. Kenya and Tanzania hosts 8 to 10 plains zebras. When it comes to Grevy’s zebras, their inhabiting range is perhaps restricted to eastern Ethiopia, northern Kenya with some species also dwelling in Sudan. Mountain zebras are commonly found in the South Africa and Namibia. Nearly all zebra species are known to reside away from each other; however, they graze mutually but they never interbreed. Where Do Zebras Live Few zebra species have superior habitats in comparison to others. Plains zebra is one of them.

These species are akin to live in wide country grasslands, African savannahs and African trees. Even though seldom, these zebras are also known to reside at an elevation of about 13,000 feet (4,000 m). These animals tend to stay away from deserts or dense forests. Basically residing in the grasslands or shrublands, these zebras tend to endure parched places but they constantly need a freshwater without which they were unable to survive after 4 to 5 days. Dig Deeper: Zebra Facts For Kids Zebras Grazing Unlike plains zebras, mountain zebras do not apt to live beyond an elevation of 6,500 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. Rather they prefer to live at the mountainous slopes of South Africa. With their naturist ability to migrate, these animals do not preferably reside at one place. The animals living high above sea level have a propensity to come down according to the changes in weather. In the hot days of summer, they are more likely to travel towards high-altitude places whereas they return when the winter arrives. Some of the Gravy’s zebras are habitual in migrating towards greener-pasture places.

Dig Deeper: What Do Zebras Eat Zebras on the March Perhaps the largest migration of zebras stumbled upon Serengeti plains in Tanzania and Kenya. Hosting thousands of zebras coupled with millions of wild animals, Serengeti plains are a hub of wildlife. The rainfall is what ultimately drives them toward the greenish areas since they have a firm a belief on the nature’s promise. This migration indeed makes them susceptible to the predators like lions, tigers and leopards. This much traveling also involves crossing of rivers where sea predators like crocodiles wait long enough to give them a warm reception. Where Do Zebras Live | Video TAGS Mountain zebra videos, photos and facts - Equus zebra | ARKive Top Mountain zebra biology This gregarious species lives in breeding herds, consisting of one adult male, one to five adult females and their young (2) (5) . All members occupy a position within a social hierarchy (2) , headed by the dominant adult stallion, which is responsible for defending the herd (4) .

Breeding herds inhabit overlapping home ranges, with no evidence of territoriality, and sometimes herds will even join to form larger temporary populations of up to around 30 individuals (2) (4) . Surplus males live in bachelor groups, from which individuals periodically attempt to establish a new breeding herd with young females or take over an existing herd by displacing the dominant stallion (2) . Nevertheless, breeding herds often remain stable over many years (up to 20 recorded), with mares usually remaining in a herd for life. New stallions may need to go through courtship of up to three years before the mares in a herd will accept their new stud (2) (7) . This polygynous species breeds throughout the year, although regional birth peaks exist (2) (4) . Females produce a single foal every one to three years, after a gestation of approximately one year (5) .

While most Cape mountain zebra young leave their maternal herds of their own choice between 13 and 37 months of age, or about three months after the birth of a sibling, Hartmann’s mountain zebra mares try to expel their 14 to 16 month old foals from the herd before the birth of a sibling. Young males may wander alone for a while before joining a bachelor group, while females are either taken into another breeding herd or are joined by a bachelor male to form a new breeding herd (2) . If young females leave their maternal herd before adulthood they join bachelor herds until they are taken into a herd (2) . Both subspecies of mountain zebra are predominately diurnal , and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon to sunset (2) (4) . The herbivorous diet primarily consists of grass but also includes leaves and bark, and individuals of all ages also visit mineral licks, particularly during the summer (2) (4) . Cape mountain zebra must drink every day, whereas Hartmann’s mountain zebra can go two or more days without drinking during the wet season (2) .

Top Mountain zebra range Cape mountain zebras are endemic to South Africa (2) , while Hartmann’s mountain zebras have a fragmented distribution across Namibia, Angola and South Africa (9) . Top Mountain zebra status Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) . Subspecies : the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) , and listed on Appendix I of CITES (3) ; Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) , and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3) . Top Mountain zebra threats The primary threats to the mountain zebra include competition with domestic livestock, hunting and persecution, habitat loss due to conversion to agriculture (2) , and the risk of the two subspecies breed with each other leading to a loss of genetic diversity (2) (10) .

Hartmann’s mountain zebras live in direct conflict with livestock farmers, with available grazing ground becoming particularly scarce in many parts of Namibia where very little rainfall has occurred for several years. As a result, more and more Hartmann's mountain zebras are being culled, both legally and illegally. Furthermore, due to the region’s poor economy and scarce resources, poaching for food has increased rapidly over the last few years, since the zebra offers a relatively large amount of meat. The situation in Angola has been exacerbated by war, in which many soldiers and civilians have been in dire need of meat (9) . The Cape mountain zebra formerly inhabited all the mountain ranges of the southern Cape Province of South Africa, but by 1997 less than 750 were believed to survive (5) . Reaching a devastating all-time low of just 91 individuals in 1950 (10) , this subspecies is considered the largest mammal in South Africa to have come so close to extinction, a fate that sadly awaited the quagga (E. quagga).

Although probably never particularly numerous, numbers declined as herds had to compete against sheep and cattle for grazing, and as habitat was increasingly converted into farmland. Hunting was also uncontrolled and this zebra was a popular victim, its hide (skin) allegedly much sought after for the manufacturing of ‘grain bags’. Thankfully, the Cape mountain zebra’s population eventually climbed back up to approximately 1,200 individuals in 1998 (7) . Top Mountain zebra conservation The non-profit organisation Etusis Foundation has been established in Namibia for the conservation of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. The foundation conducts research on the subspecies , and focuses on educating farmers and raising public and government awareness about the plight this subspecies faces (9) . Despite its bleak outlook over the last century, concerted conservation efforts mean that Cape mountain zebra numbers are now increasing. The Mountain Zebra National Park was established in 1937 to help save this subspecies , and there are a further two original sub-populations protected in Kamanassie Nature Reserve and Gamka Mountain Reserve.

There are also currently about another 11 formally protected, reintroduced sub-populations, including those in Karoo National Park, Karoo Nature Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, Commando Drift Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Tsolwana Game Ranch (2) (7) (10) . Conservation efforts by the private sector have also had an important impact, such as the recent purchase by Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve of another twenty Cape mountain zebras from a private seller, making a total of over 30 animals held at the reserve, probably the largest privately owned herd of Cape mountain zebra in the world (7) . Although this subspecies still occupies a precarious existence, the dramatic increase in its population over the last 50 years is considered a great conservation success story, and a testament to the ongoing, collaborative efforts of many individuals and parties committed to saving this African icon (7) . The current conservation objective is to build up numbers to a target of 2,500 animals as quickly as possible in order to help ensure the long-term survival of the Cape mountain zebra (10) .

For more information on the mountain zebra see: Man in Nature: Human Development in Harmony with Wildlife Conservation: zebra facts 12 months (Burchell's); 13 months (Grevy's) Predators: Lions, hyenas, hunting dogs, leopards, cheetahs Zebras, horses and wild asses are all equids, long-lived animals that move quickly for their large size and have teeth built for grinding and cropping grass. Zebras have horselike bodies, but their manes are made of short, erect hair, their tails are tufted at the tip and their coats are striped. Three species of zebra still occur in Africa, two of which are found in East Africa. The most numerous and widespread species in the east is Burchell's, also known as the common or plains zebra. The other is Grevy's zebra, named for Jules Grevy, a president of France in the 1880s who received one from Abyssinia as a gift, and now found mostly in northern Kenya.

(The third species, Equus zebra, is the mountain zebra, found in southern and southwestern Africa.) Physical Characteristics The long-legged Grevy's zebra, the biggest of the wild equids, is taller and heavier than the Burchell's, with a massive head and large ears. Zebras have shiny coats that dissipate over 70 percent of incoming heat, and some scientists believe the stripes help the animals withstand intense solar radiation. The black and white stripes are a form of camouflage called disruptive coloration that breaks up the outline of the body. Although the pattern is visible during daytime, at dawn or in the evening when their predators are most active, zebras look indistinct and may confuse predators by distorting true distance. The stripes on Grevy's zebras are more numerous and narrow than those of the plains zebra and do not extend to the belly. In all zebra species, the stripes on the forequarters form a triangular pattern; Grevy's have a similar pattern on the hindquarters, while others have a slanted or horizontal pattern.

Habitat Burchell's zebras inhabit savannas, from treeless grasslands to open woodlands; they sometimes occur in tens of thousands in migratory herds on the Serengeti plains. Grevy's zebras are now mainly restricted to parts of northern Kenya. Although they are adapted to semi-arid conditions and require less water than other zebra species, these zebras compete with domestic livestock for water and have suffered heavy poaching for their meat and skins. Behavior Family groups are stable members maintaining strong bonds over many years. Mutual grooming, where zebras stand together and nibble the hair on each other's neck and back, helps develop and preserve these bonds. Family members look out for one another if one becomes separated from the rest, the others search for it. The group adjusts its traveling pace to accommodate the old and the weak. The females within a family observe a strict hierarchical system. A dominant mare always leads the group, while others follow her in single file, each with their foals directly behind them. The lowest- ranking mare is the last in line. Although the stallion is the dominant member of the family, he operates outside the system and has no special place in the line.

Diet Zebras are avid grazers. Both Burchell's and Grevy's zebras are in constant search of green pastures. In the dry season, they can live on coarse, dry grass only if they are within a short distance (usually no farther than 20 miles away) of water holes. Caring for the Young When a foal is born the mother keeps all other zebras (even the members of her family) away from it for 2 or 3 days, until it learns to recognize her by sight, voice and smell. While all foals have a close association with their mothers, the male foals are also close to their fathers. They leave their group on their own accord between the ages of 1 and 4 years to join an all-male bachelor group until they are strong enough to head a family. Predators Zebras are important prey for lions and hyenas, and to a lesser extent for hunting dogs, leopards and cheetahs. When a family group is attacked, the members form a semicircle, face the predator and watch it, ready to bite or strike should the attack continue.

If one of the family is injured the rest will often encircle it to protect it from further attack. Did you know? Romans called Grevy's zebras 'hippotigris' and trained them to pull two-wheeled carts for exhibition in circuses. At first glance zebras in a herd might all look alike, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in man. Scientists can identify individual zebras by comparing patterns, stripe widths, color and scars.

Question: Which animal has species called Grevy's, Cape Mountain and Plains, amongst others?
Answer: Zebra