Information About the Zebra
Zebras are horse-like creatures native to the continent of Africa. Its distinctive shiny black and white striped coat makes it among the most easily recognizable animals in the world. They live in the savannas and arid grasslands, where they graze of the land. There are three species, but all share many characteristics, including diet and predatory concerns.
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Appearance
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The striped coat helps the zebra survive in its hot native environment by dissipating over 70 percent of incoming heat. The stripes also serve as a form of nighttime camouflage that can make it difficult for predators to distinguish the zebra at a distance. The stripes on each zebra are unique. The largest of the species, the Grevy's Zebra, can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds and stand 5 feet high at the shoulder. The other species are the Burchell's and Mountain Zebra. While the Grevy's Zebra has a slanted stripe pattern on its hindquarters, the other two have horizontal or slanted stripe patterns on their backsides. The Burchell's Zebra has fewer stripes than the Grevy's Zebra, and they extend all the way to the belly.
Habitat
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The Grevy's and Burchell's Zebras are found in eastern Africa, while the Mountain Zebra occurs in southern Africa. They all have large, flat teeth to feed on grass. Zebras travel around looking for green pastures for food, but they are capable of living on the coarser grass during the dry season if they are close to a source of water. The Grevy's Zebra is adapted to its semi-arid home and requires less water than the Burchell's and Mountain Zebras.
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Behavior and Lifespan
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Zebras live in strongly-bonded family units that can last for many years. Zebras practice mutual grooming, in which the members of a family group use their teeth to clean the manes of other group members. If one becomes seperated, the others will search for the missing member, and the whole group will slow up so older group members can keep up. Mothers are very protective of newly-born foals, preventing others from approaching it for two or three days. In the absence of predators, the zebra can live for 25 to 40 years.
Predation
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Zebras are pursued by several predators, most notably the lion and the hyena. They are armed for defense with excellent night vision and a powerful kick capable of badly injuring an attacker. The pack will also form a semicircle to keep constant watch on a predator and defend themselves against further attack. Zebras will also attempt to defend injured individuals by encircling the wounded group member. If all else fails, adult zebras can run 40 mph. Foals won't move as fast, but are capable of running only an hour after birth.
Human Factors
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Zebras have suffered from a poaching problem for both their recognizable skins and their meat. They also face competition from livestock, as human-raised cattle are encroaching on their habitat and making food and water more scarce for zebras. As of 2010, the Grevy's and Mountain Zebra are both considered endangered. The Burchell's Zebra is not considered endangered, but its numbers were in decline.
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References
- Photo Credit zebra image by Alexander Oshvintsev from Fotolia.com
