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 The Different Species of Zebras The Different Species of Zebras Zebras can be classified into three species and several subspecies.

Plains Zebra (Equus burchelli) Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Information on the species can be found in a variety of locations. A brief species overview is maintained my the Internation Museum of the Horse. Equus quagga (Burchell's Zebra, Common Zebra, Painted Zebra, Plains Zebra) Geographic Range [top] Range Description: Plains Zebra range from South Sudan and southern Ethiopia, east of the Nile River, to southern Angola and northern Namibia and northern South Africa (formerly ranging south of the Orange and Vaal Rivers to the Cape) (Hack et al. 2002, Klingel 2013). They are now extinct in two countries in which they formerly occurred: Burundi and Lesotho, and are likely to be extinct in Somalia. The six morphologically defined subspecies are distributed as follows (following Groves and Bell 2004): E. q. crawshaii (Crawshay’s Zebra) occurs in Zambia, east of the Luangwa River, Malawi, south-eastern Tanzania from Lake Rukwa east to Mahungoi, and Mozambique as far south as the Gorongoza district; E.

q. borensis ranges in north-west Kenya, from Guas ngishu and Lake Baringo, to the Karamoja district of Uganda and south-east South Sudan, east of the Nile River to the northern limit of the species at 32°N; E. q. boehmi (Grant’s Zebra or Boehm's Zebra) is found in Zambia, west of the Luangwa River, west to Kariba, Shaba Province of DR Congo north to Kibanzao Plateau; Tanzania north from Nyangaui and Kibwezi into south-west Uganda, south-west Kenya as far as Sotik, and east Kenya, east of the Rift Valley, into southern Ethiopia and perhaps to the Juba River in Somalia. E. q. chapmani (Chapman's Zebra) ranges from north-east South Africa, from about 24°S, 31°E, north to Zimbabwe, west into Botswana at about 19°S, 24°E, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, and southeastern Angola (east of the Cubango river); E. q.

burchellii (Burchell's Zebra) formerly occurred north of the Vaal/Orange Rivers, extending north-west via southern Botswana to Etosha National Park and the Kaokoveld, south-east to KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland, and in southwestern Angola. It is now extinct in the middle of its range. E. b. antiquorum is now included in this subspecies; E. q. quagga (Quagga) occurred in the former Cape Province, south of the Orange and Vaal Rivers and west of the Drakensberg. Now extinct. Countries occurrence: Native: Angola (Angola); Botswana; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Rwanda; South Africa; South Sudan; Swaziland; Tanzania, United Republic of; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe Possibly extinct: Population [top] Population: Plains Zebra are considered common and widespread across Africa, but there has been a population decline in 10 out of the 17 range states since the 1992 and 2002 IUCN Red List assessments.

In many countries Plains Zebra are only found in protected areas, with little or no individuals outside them. Lack of surveys outside protected areas makes assessing trends and population sizes difficult across most of the species’ range. Total population across the species’ range is estimated at over 500,000 animals; if 30% to 50% of animals are mature (based on maturity rates in other zebra species) this gives a population of 150,000 to 250,000 mature individuals. Total numbers were estimated at about 660,000 in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002), roughly the same as they were in 1992 (671,000 animals; Duncan and Gakahu 1992). This represents a population reduction of 24% since 2002, and a 25% decline since 1992 (about 2.5 generations, as generation length is about 10 years).

It is very likely that 3 generations ago (in 1985) that the population was similar in size to numbers given in 1992, so it is a fair assumption that the population reduction has occurred within the last 3 generations. The exact number of Plains Zebra is unknown due to different survey methods applied across their range, and many areas having no recent survey data. This makes comparison of survey data problematic. In the country specific data below confidence intervals or other range descriptors are given when available, but most accounts do not provide this information. However when comparing data over the past few generations any error in calculating total population size is likely to have remained constant, as intensity and accuracy of surveys are unlikely to have greatly improved. Overall, populations in Ethiopia, Malawi, and South Africa appear stable; they are possibly stable in Angola (they were considered likely extinct here in the 2002 assessment); in Mozambique they are stable or increasing; in Namibia and Swaziland populations are increasing; but in Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe populations are declining (Table 1).

Of particular concern is that decline is being seen in Kenya and Tanzania, where the species is most numerous. However the world's largest single Plains Zebra population in Serengeti National Park appears stable. Angola The Plains Zebra population in Angola has declined drastically since the 1960s and 1970s and has been extirpated from most of its former range in the country. Plains Zebra has likely been eliminated from Iona National Park (NP), and is probably extinct elsewhere along the coastal plain and neighboring regions of southwestern Angola (Pedro Vaz Pinto and Luis Verissimo pers. comm. 2015). Recent anecdotal reports of the species presence in Bikuar NP need confirmation. Plains Zebra remain extant in small groups in a trans-boundary population in Luengue-Luiana NP, due to animals moving from Bwabwata National Park in Namibia and there is a possibility of its presence elsewhere in southeast Kuando Cubango province (Pedro Vaz Pinto and Luis Verissimo pers. comm. 2015). Population size in the country is unknown.

Botswana Nationwide total is about 99,500 Plains Zebra from a stratified sample count in 2012 (Botswana DWNP unpublished data). While the population is increasing significantly in Ngamiland and Central Botswana, there is a non-significant decreasing trend in Chobe, with no information on trends for the smaller populations in Ghanzi and the north-east and southern parts of the country. Countrywide the species was considered stable (or increasing non-significantly) in 2012, and has increased from about 35,000 in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002). Democratic Republic of Congo A 2008 survey recorded 62 Plains Zebra in Upemba NP, but none in Kunedelungu NP (Vanleeuwe 2009). This indicates a decline in the Congo population as <1,000 were reported in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002). Ethiopia The 2014 nationwide population was about 7,500 zebra (F. Kebede, EWCA, unpublished data).

This population overall appears stable since 2002. The population in Omo NP-Mago NP-Tama WR was estimated as 1,630 from a 1997 aerial survey (F. Kebede pers. comm.), decreasing to 1,000 in a 2014 informed estimate. The Nechisar NP population remains stable at about 3,000 animals in both 1995 and 2014 (C. Zewdie and G. Wondimu, EWCO, unpublished data), and the Yabello WS (now Borena NP) population increased from 2,840 in a 1995 aerial survey (Thouless 1995) to an informed estimate of 3,500 in 2014 (F. Kebede unpublished data). Kenya While Plains Zebra remain numerous in Kenya the population appears to be declining. In 1995 the population was estimated as 152,490 from aerial surveys (Hack et al.

2002); in surveys from 2008-2015 the population is estimated at only 98,820 animals (Kenya Wildlife Service 2015 unpublished data). This represents a decline of 35% in 20 years. Plains Zebra have been extirpated (or nearly so) from some protected areas (e.g. Kora NP and Sibilo NP; Thomas Butynski pers. comm. 2015), while in other areas densities remain high. Only about 10% of Plains Zebra are on protected lands in Kenya (Grunblatt et al. 1995), meaning that protection for zebras outside these areas is vital. Plains Zebra populations have declined in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve (MMNR) and nearby ranches from wet season numbers as high as 60,764 ± 18201 in 1978 to 38,560 ± 10,935 in 2007 (Ogutu et al.

2011), although 2014 Kenya Wildlife Service aerial survey data indicated a population of 42,126. This represents the largest population in Kenya. Zebra tended not to be resident in MMNR during the wet season (December to May) although they remained in surrounding ranches. Fewer zebra now migrate in to the Mara region during the dry season, despite few changes in the source population in the Serengeti (Ogutu et al. 2011). In 1995 the Laikipia Plains Zebra population was considered to be increasing (Hack et al. 2002). Surveys conducted in 2001 and 2012 found a 9.6% reduction from 27,544 to 24,887±5,853 indicating that the population is roughly stable (Kinnaird et al. 2012). Plains Zebra are the most abundant wildlife species in this area, yet like all wildlife are experiencing a decline since the 1980s.

Malawi Aerial surveys from 2012 to 2015 report about 748 zebra in protected areas in Malawi. The largest population in Majete WR increased from 262 in 2012 to 571 in 2015 (D. Macpherson pers. comm. 2015). The second largest population in Nyika NP declined from 279 in 2013 to 153 in 2015 (Macpherson 2013 and pers. comm.). Vwaza Marsh WR, Kasungu NP and Liwonde NP each have less than 20 (D. Macpherson pers. comm. 2015). There are also small populations of Plains Zebra at three or four game ranches in Malawi. Mozambique Plains Zebra were likely eradicated from south-western Mozambique during 22 years of war (1964-1974; 1980-1992).

Between 2002 and 2008, 1361 zebra were (re-)introduced to the western section of the newly created Limpopo National Park (LNP), from the adjoining Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa. Subsequent aerial surveys (2010, 2013) indicate a sharp reduction in zebra abundances in LNP and restriction of zebra distribution to the western boundary. Recent ground surveys (2014) documented natural range expansion of zebra into central LNP. Illegal hunting is widespread in LNP and may explain reduced zebra abundances. Zebra were not detected in Banhine National Park during 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2014 surveys. The country-wide total is about 3,400 zebras in Mozambique. The population estimate from aerial surveys in Limpopo NP has declined from 494 in 2010 to 183 in 2013 due to illegal hunting (Kristoffer Everatt pers. comm. 2015).

The population in Niassa Reserve is stable, with numbers remaining around 3,000 between the aerial survey in 1998 which estimated 2,854 zebras (1852-3855) and in 2014 which estimated 3,197 (2400-3994), although an anomalous survey in 2009 recorded 6,229 (5033-4672) possibly due to better observers that year (Colleen Begg pers. comm. 2015). Plains Zebras are present in Magoe in Tete province, but no longer present in Banhina NP (2004-2014). Fourteen Plains Zebra were reintroduced to Gorongosa NP in 2012, but only one foal had been produced by 2015 (Marcelino Denja pers. comm. 2015). Namibia There are about 40,000 Plains Zebras in Namibia, with an estimated increasing trend due to populations on private/freehold land.

Legislative changes during the 1960s-1970s in Namibia giving landowners user rights to wildlife has led to an increase in the populations of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, and has benefitted Plains Zebra as well. An aerial survey of Etosha NP in 2012 estimated 16,174 Plains Zebra, with an aerial survey of the north-east (Kavango East and Zambezi) estimating 1,421 Plains Zebras (Kenneth Uiseb, Namibia MET, unpublished data). In 2014, aerial surveys of the Zambezi Region (including Bwabwata, Mudumu and Nkasa Lupara national parks and communal conservancies) and Mangetti NP estimated 5,435 and 140 zebras respectively (Kenneth Uiseb, Namibia MET, unpublished data). It should be noted that the 950-2037 zebras in Bwabwata NP are the same population that has some animals moving in to Angola.

The total number of Plains Zebra on private land is unknown, but is between 19,000 and 25,000 (Lindsey et al. 2013). Rwanda The only data on Plains Zebra from Rwanda are from a 2013 aerial survey that estimated 999 Plains Zebra in Akagera National Park (African Parks website). It is unlikely that there are many Plains Zebra outside this protected area. South Africa The Plains Zebra was assessed as Least Concern in the South African National Red List as the species remains widespread, common, and there are no major threats resulting in a range-wide population decline (Stears et al. 2015). The population is stable, consisting of at least 46,000 animals; in 2002 there were over 55,000 Plains Zebras estimated in the country (Hack et al. 2002). Kruger National Park has around 70% of the free-roaming population in South Africa with 29,000-43,450 individuals in 2012. This is the only South African population that is migratory.

Plains Zebras are also present in the northern KwaZulu-Natal, and in Limpopo, North West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces, with large numbers on private land (9,411 individuals and 3,232 individuals on private land in the North West and Free State provinces respectively). South Sudan In 1980 there were 24,078 in the wet season and 29,460 in the dry season in Boma NP, and 3,889 in the wet season and 4,533 in the dry season in Jonglei National Park (Fay et al. 2007). A 2007 aerial survey saw a small group of Plains Zebra in Boma, and none in Jonglei (Fay et al. 2007). In 2007, 2008 and 2009 a few small group of Plains Zebra were seen during aerial surveys, and in 2013 there was an unconfirmed report of Plains Zebra from a charter plane pilot, but otherwise no Plains Zebras have been seen in South Sudan in recent years (Paul Elkan pers.

comm. 2015). Swaziland There are about 2,900 Plains Zebras in Swaziland (Mickey Reilly unpublished data 2015). In the Kingdom of Swaziland’s Big Game Parks there are about 1,250: 320 recorded from an aerial count in Mkhaya in 2014, 850 estimated in Hlane, and about 80 estimated in Milwane. In Government parks there are about 185, and up to 800 on private land (although this is likely an over-estimate; Mickey Reilly unpublished data 2015). This represents an increase compared to 1000 Plains Zebra reported in Swaziland in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002). Tanzania Plains Zebras are still widespread and common in Tanzania with a population of over 260,000 (±20-30%) animals, however all but three populations appear to be declining (TAWIRI/NCAA unpublished data 2015), and the species is restricted to protected areas.

The populations in the Serengeti Ecosystem and the Ngorongoro Crater appear stable, with 207,166 ±37,638 in a 2010 aerial survey of the Serengeti, and 4,942 in a total count of Ngorongoro Crater (Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Ecological Monitoring Program, NEMP). The Serengeti population is the largest within the species’ range, and contains 42% of all wild Plains Zebras. The West Kilimanjaro population is possibly stable, with 1,632 in a 2013 total count. All other populations are declining or have an unknown trend. The Tarangire Manyara ecosystem population dropped from 33,330 ± 1,254 in 2004 to 15,662 ± 5,118 in 2011 (CIMU unpublished data), with other populations having a similar level of decline.

Uganda There are 425 ± 636 Plains Zebras in Uganda, almost all in the Kidepo landscape (Wanyama et al. 2014). Of these zebras, 154 are in Kidepo National Park, representing a decline from 651 in 1971 (Wanyama et al. 2014). Some Plains Zebras are also present in Lake Mburo National Park. It is unlikely that there are any Plains Zebras outside the protected areas (Julian Fennessy pers. comm. 2015). Plains Zebras are now locally extinct in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, from over 2,000 in 1968 (Zwick et al. 1998). No Plains Zebras were seen in Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth National Parks in a 2014 survey (Wanyama et al. 2014). This represents a severe decline in this country from over 3,000 in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002).

Zambia There are between 8,000 and 16,000 Plains Zebra in Zambia, with populations declining in most protected areas (Peter Lindsay pers. comm. 2015). These zebras consist of about 9,400 in the protected area network, and over 2,000 on game ranches (Lindsay et al. 2013, 2014). There may have been a decline from over 18,000 Plains Zebra in 2002 (Hack et al. 2002). Zimbabwe There are over 4,000 Plains Zebras in Zimbabwe. In Hwange 2,155 were reported in 1999, and 1,685 ± 26 in Gonarezhou National Park in 2013 (Dunham et al. 2013). This latter population is thought to be increasing. Plains Zebra also occur in other protected areas and outside these areas in Zimbabwe, but we do not have the survey data to assess how many.

For further information about this species, see 41013_Equus_quagga.pdf . A PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader is required. Current Population Trend: Habitat and Ecology [top] Habitat and Ecology: Plains Zebra live in all habitats in Africa from sea level to 4,300 m on Mount Kenya, with the exception of rain forests, deserts, dune forests, and Cape Sclerophyllous vegetation (Duncan 1992). Plains Zebra live in family groups of a stallion with mares and their juvenile offspring. While each of these groups have a home range, the groups join together and move as herds in some or all parts of the year (Klingel 1969, Rubenstein 2010). The home range of Plains Zebras varies across the continent, being determined by seasonal vegetation changes and habitat quality (Smuts 1975).

In East Africa, home ranges in Ngorongoro were 80-250 km² in different parts of the crater (Klingel 1969), whereas they were larger in the Serengeti: 3-400 km² in the wet season and 4-600 km² in the dry season (Klingel 1969). Combined with a migration route of 100 to 150 km in each direction, Serengeti zebras cover at least 1000 km² in a year. This can be compared with annual home ranges of 49-566 km² in Kruger National Park (Smuts 1975). In some areas the herds form discrete subpopulations, separated by natural barriers or marginal habitats (Smuts 1974). These subpopulations cover areas from 28-136 km² in Zululand (Brooks 1982) to 1530-1560 km² in Kruger National Park (Smuts 1974).

In areas where resources are scarce or patchily distributed, zebras daily cover a lot of ground. In the dry season zebras moved up to 34.5 km to forage in Botswana (Brooks and Harris 2008), whereas in Ngorongoro they moved about 6 km (Klingel 1969); in Kruger National Park they tended to move less than 2 km in a day across the year (Owen-Smith 2013). Studies of zebras have shown how their spatial awareness allows them to orient movements towards preferred forage patches or the nearest water source, and thus move efficiently across large distances (Brooks and Harris 2008). A central feature of Plains Zebra ecology is their migration, tracking resource abundance across the seasons (Young et al. 2005). One of the biggest ungulate migrations in the world occurs in the Serengeti. At a large scale zebras follow the long grass that grows after the rains (Bell 1971), at a finer scale they move to maximize intake of food of sufficient quality, while minimizing time spent in habitats where they may encounter predators (Hopcraft et al. 2010).

Not all zebra herds migrate (e.g., Stelfox et al. 1986, Georgiadis et al. 2003), with different herds reacting differently to changing conditions (Owen-Smith 2013): in the Okavango Delta of Botswana only about 55% of zebras make the 588 km round trip (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2011). Migration allows zebras to optimize their nutrition by moving to prime grasslands during the wet season (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2013), selecting higher quality resources rather than absolute abundance of grass (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2011). The start and pace of migration is controlled by the environment: it is initiated by cumulative precipitation, with daily movement being a function of precipitation rate and NDVI (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2013). Zebras have the flexibility to alter their migration patterns to avoid adverse conditions or to find new resources (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2013). As fences constrain many populations (Shem et al.

2013), this allows them to re-establish migrations once barriers are removed (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2011). Plains Zebras tend to be found in mid-productive grasslands in areas where there is the highest green standing crop (McNaughton 1985), selecting areas of the highest grass biomass regardless of quality (Groom and Harris 2010). Across studies Plains Zebras were found in open savanna with an abundance of grass and the presence of some trees or open woodland. The Plains Zebra diet consists almost entirely of grasses (Bodenstein et al. 2000), with occasional browse to maintain protein levels (Berry and Louw 1982). Compared to ruminants, zebras are generalist and bulk feeders, spending more time foraging (Seydack et al. 2012, Owen-Smith and Goodall 2014), and having a diet that is of lower quality (McNaughton 1985, Ben-Shahar 1991) and higher fiber (30-36% of dry matter, Macandza et al.

2013) than sympatric bovids of a similar size. Systems: Use and Trade [top] Use and Trade: There is trade in skins of this species. Meat is rarely used, but there is some hunting for bushmeat. Poaching occurs in some areas, and some by-catch in snares has been reported. Threats [top] Major Threat(s): The quagga was driven to extinction in the late 19th century by overhunting and competition with livestock. While equid meat is often not a preferred choice, Plains Zebra are threatened by hunting through much of their range, especially when they move out of protected areas. Hunting for their skins occurs, particularly in East Africa as these subspecies do not have the shadow stripe present in southern African subspecies (Foley et al. 2014). Fencing areas can block migration corridors (Foley et al. 2014), although Plains Zebras have been shown to re-establish migration routes if barriers are removed, even if they are blocked for over 30 years (Bartlam-Brooks et al. 2011).

Conservation Actions [top] Conservation Actions: Plains Zebra occur in numerous protected areas across their range, including the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Tsavo and Masaai Mara (Kenya), Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe), Etosha National Park (Namibia), and Kruger National Park (South Africa). Hack et al. (2002) proposed the following conservation actions for the species: 1) Improve coverage and frequency of monitoring; 2) Improve risk assessment; 3) Quantify and manage genetic diversity both globally and locally; 4) Increase the understanding of the species' basic biology'; and 5) Investigate the economics of alternative utilization strategies.

In Malawi several conservation measures for the species are ongoing: Majete Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve are now being managed by the African Parks Network, an anti-poaching project (funded by IFAW) is now running in Kasungu National Park that has trans-frontier capacity in interest to include Likusuzi and Luambe NP's in Zambia, and there is a Nyika Trans-Frontier Project which covers Nyika NP, Vwaza Marsh WR in Malawi and Musalangu Game Management Area plus the Mitenge and Lundazi Forest Reserves in Zambia (funded by KWF and run by the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife). Citation: King, S.R.B. & Moehlman, P.D. 2016. Equus quagga. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41013A45172424. . Downloaded on 16 January 2017. Disclaimer: Grant's Zebra Grants Zebra The grant’s zebra is the smallest of the plain’s zebra species.

They have the largest population in the wild than any other zebra species. The foal may walk 10 – 20 minutes after it is born. Size & Weight WEIGHT: 300 kilograms (660 lb) SHOULDER HEIGHT: 120 to 140 cm (3.9 to 4.6 ft) Yikes! Stripes! All about Zebras The Species of Zebras There are three main Species of Zebra. The most common are the Plains zebras. You might hear them called Common zebras. They have several sub-types within the main group. There are the Grants, the Burchells, the Chapmans, Damarland, Selous. The extinct Quagga was probably a sub-species of the Plains type. The second group is the Mountain Zebra. There are two sub-species remaining. One is the Hartman Mountain zebra, the other the Cape Mountain zebra. These animals have a stripe pattern that seems to be halfway between that basic patterning of the Plains types and the Grevys.

They have longer, more donkey-like ears.The Mountain zebra also has a strange anatomical development that no other breed, type OR species of equine has, a "dewlap" or "wattle" of flesh under the throat. What it is for or why it is there no one knows. The Grevy's is thought to be the oldest of the zebra types. The body is longer in shape, the head is long, the neck very short and thick. The ears are large, open curves. The striping pattern is the most distinct, with many thin stripes over the body, and a white belly. The chromosome count of the Grevy's differs significantly from other zebras. One peculiarity about zebras is the striping patterns in relation to their locality. The more Northern species of Plain (the Grants) have the boldest striping. As they species are further south, the striping decreases. The now-extinct True Burchells zebra had almost no striping on the legs and often stripes were lacking over the rump as well.

The Quagga, an extinct variant of Plains zebra, had striping only on the head and neck, and a reddish patch over the back and loins. The legs of the Quagga had little or no striping. In spite of the fact that the ranges the different Species of zebra overlap, interbreeding in the wild is not known. It could be that the species are just varied enough that they just don't smell right to each other! The Mountain zebra pattern looks like it could be a combination of the two patterns, but there has not been any scientific research to prove this. However, if it is some type of variation from the Grevy's and Plains, it happened a long time ago. Are All zebras black and white? Although most zebras are black and white, reddish stripes do occur. The foals often have red stripes, which later darken to black. There is also a pseudo-albino (white-phase) in zebras where the stripes are a "buff" or light tan color, and the eyes are blue.

This is not a true albino, since that gene is absent in equines, but it does appear to be a true recessive (white) and not a dilution gene. The QUAGGA was a subspecies of Plains zebra that was striped only on the head and neck, with a reddish body! I've heard you can't train a zebra. Why? It used to be thought that zebras were not able to be trained. Breeding efforts by the government in past years used wild-captured stallions, which by their nature are aggressive. Modern breeders are hand-raising their breeding stock and paying more attention to the wilder nature of the zebra. Remembering that the zebra is a wild animal with NO domestic history, and treating them as such, is beginning to produce some zebras that are brought up in domestic situations. It will take many generations of such careful training, but if breeders will continue, we might someday see a more tame strain of zebra.

(Remember, even dogs weren't domesticated overnight!) In memory of Barcode, a Grevy's Zebra stallion Plains zebra videos, photos and facts - Equus quagga | ARKive Top Plains zebra biology The plains zebra obtains almost all its food by grazing, feeding selectively on certain grass species such as Pennisetum mezianum (1) . As a result of an efficient hindgut digestive system, this species is able to survive upon coarse vegetation which would be inadequate to fulfil the energetic requirements of other ungulates . As such, the plains zebra is able to make long-distance movements in search of food, and is often the first grazing species to colonise unexploited areas of grassland. The plains zebra’s removal of tougher growth has a valuable ecological role in allowing other ungulates to gain access to tender young growth (3) . In some parts of its range the plains zebra is sedentary, while in others, such as the Serengeti, it undergoes seasonal movements in response to water availability (1) .

The plains zebra has a complex social system, with the main social unit consisting of a 'harem' which comprises a single male, one to six females, which are typically unrelated, and a number of offspring. The male has sole breeding access to the females (4) , but must fight off challenges from bachelor males. The fights are fierce, and involve biting as well as powerful strikes with the front feet and kicks with the rear feet (5) . If the challenger proves victorious, the male is driven away from the harem, and will usually join a group of bachelor males which have yet to make a successful challenge, are too old to compete, or have also been ousted (4) (5) . Interestingly, large herds of plains zebra sometimes form, usually when grazing, sleeping or moving between areas, which are composed of bachelor groups as well as harems. This multi-level social organisation is unusual, and more characteristic of primates, such as baboons, than ungulates (4) . While the plains zebra breeds throughout the year, peak numbers of births mostly occur during the wet season.

The gestation period lasts for around 360 to 396 days, and a single young is produced which is capable of standing almost immediately and starts to eat grass within a week. The foal is weaned at 7 to 11 months and reaches puberty at 16 to 22 months. The young disperse voluntarily from the group when aged between one and three years, with the males joining bachelor groups until able to compete at around four years old. Females that have come into first oestrus advertise readiness to breed by adopting a distinctive stance, with the head lowered, tail raised and straddled legs. All males in the area compete fiercely for such females, and may abduct them from harems prior to voluntary dispersal. Once bonded with the successful male, the female no longer advertises when in oestrus (2) . Plains zebras are an important source of prey for several large predators, such as lions and hyaenas. When attacked, groups form a semicircle facing the predator, ready to bite or strike, and protect injured individuals by encircling them (6) .

Top Plains zebra range Though extirpated from many parts of its range, the plains zebra remains the most widespread and abundant equid on Earth (3) . The six subspecies have overlapping distributions, occupying portions of the total range, which extends from southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia, south along eastern Africa, as far as Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi, before spreading into most southern African countries. The plains zebra is regionally extinct in Burundi and Lesotho, and possibly in Angola (1) . Top Plains zebra status The plains zebra is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1) . Five of the six subspecies are classified as Least Concern (LC): Grant’s or Boehm’s zebra (Equus quagga boehmi), plains zebra (Equus quagga borensis), Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga burchellii), Chapman’s zebra (Equus quagga chapmani) and Crawshay’s zebra (Equus quagga crawshaii) (1) .

The sixth subspecies , the quagga (Equus quagga quagga), is classified as Extinct (EX) (1) . Top Plains zebra threats As a whole, this species is relatively widespread and common (1) . Nevertheless, local populations and subspecies are affected to varying degrees by habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock for grass and water. The plains zebra population of Tanzania, for example, appears to have undergone a decline of around 20 percent from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s (1) . As a result of more extensive human development and agriculture, the greatest levels of habitat loss are occurring in the southern half of this species’ range, while poaching is more prevalent in the northern half (1) (3) . Despite these threats, the plains zebra is extremely resilient, and in areas where it receives protection it has made a rapid recovery from losses incurred by overhunting for its meat and skin (1) .

Top Plains zebra conservation The plains zebra occurs in numerous protected areas across its range, including the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Tsavo and Masaai Mara in Kenya, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Etosha National Park in Namibia, and Kruger National Park in South Africa (1) . While these sites harbour large numbers of plains zebra and provide valuable refuge from poaching and habitat loss, this species also appears to be doing well in some unprotected parts of its range (1) . Although the plains zebra’s current situation is favourable, expanding human populations and settlements are a cause for concern. In order to guard against the possibility of future declines, measures such as improved population monitoring are necessary. In addition, investigations into alternative uses of this species, such as sharing tourist revenue with local people, would be beneficial to help lessen hunting pressure (1) (3) . 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 Grevy's Zebra Grevys Zebra The grevy’s zebra is the largest living zebra. It is able to live up to 5 days without drinking. Grevy’s zebras rarely fight to death.

They are the first zebra species to be discovered by Europeans. Size & Weight TOTAL-LENGTH: 5–2.75 m (8.2–9.0 ft) WEIGHT: 350 – 450 kg TAIL: 55–75 cm (22–30 in) SHOULDER HEIGHT: 45–1.6 m (4.8–5.2 ft) Grevy’s Zebra with Foals Grevy's Zebra | African Wildlife Foundation Physical Characteristics What is a Grevy’s zebra? The long-legged Grevy’s zebra is the largest of the wild equids. It is distinguished by its unique stripes, which are as distinctive as human fingerprints. Foals are born with reddish-brown stripes and, gradually, their coats darken to black. The Grevy’s zebra is more closely related to the wild ass than the horse, while the plains zebra is more closely related to the horse. Grevy’s zebras also are taller, have larger ears, and have narrower stripes than plains zebras. Behavior & Diet They have social structures. Grevy’s zebras are loosely social animals that live in herds.

A stallion’s attachment to his land and a mare’s attachment to her young are the most stable relationships. Within the herd, dominance is relatively nonexistent, except for the right a territorial male has to a breeding female. If no females are around, the resident male will associate with bachelor males in a friendly manner. Foals can run less than an hour after birth. Newborn foals are able to stand after just six minutes, and they can run after 40 minutes. They are dependent on their mothers for milk until they reach about 6 to 8 months of age. Peak birth periods for the Grevy’s zebra are usually July through August, and mature females breed in two-year intervals. They are grazers. Grevy’s zebras are extremely mobile grazers, and they can digest many types, and parts, of plants that cattle cannot. Despite their mobility, Grevy’s are water-dependent and will migrate to grazing lands only within reach of water. Gallery Challenges Grevy’s zebras have undergone one of the most substantial reductions of range of any African mammal. Habitat loss in an already restricted range is a serious threat to the Grevy’s zebra's survival.

It is in competition for resources with other grazers as well as cattle and livestock. Due to overgrazing and competition for water, the juvenile Grevy’s zebras have a low survival rate. Hunting for Grevy’s zebras persists. Hunting is the primary cause of decline of Grevy’s zebras in Ethiopia. They are primarily hunted for their striking skins but will occasionally be killed for food, and in some regions, medicinal uses continue. Solutions Our solutions to protecting the Grevy’s zebra: Employ technology for conservation. African Wildlife Foundation worked with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to fit Grevy’s zebras with collars in Buffalo Spring National Reserve. The Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) collars provide scientists with critical information concerning Grevy’s zebras’ movement patterns and whereabouts. By gaining an understanding of their patterns, scientists are better able to protect the zebras. Engage wildlife scouts. AWF works with communities who live in close quarters with wildlife and equips scouts with essential tools, such as GPS-monitoring devices and vehicles.

As a result, AWF is able to ensure enhanced protection of wildlife in these regions as well as provide additional employment opportunities to local communities. Projects Will you show the Grevy’s zebra your support? With your help, AWF can continue working on initiatives like the collaring of Grevy’s zebras, wildlife scout training, and habitat protection. Donate to a cause that will help with wildlife conservation and ensure the continued survival of this endangered species. Monitoring Grevy’s zebra populations in the Samburu Landscape Grevy’s zebras are in grave danger. A mere few decades ago, in the 1970s, more than 15,000 Grevy’s zebras inhabited Africa. Today, fewer than 2,500 remain. The...

Question: Grévy's, Grant's, Chapman's, and the extinct Quagga, are varieties of?
Answer: Zebra