Analysis: About the habitat, behavior and eating habits of zebras
With its familiar horse-like physique and distinctive black and white striped pattern, the zebra (Equus spp) is the most recognizable of all mammals. They are native to the plains and mountains of Africa; The mountain zebra climbs more than 6,000 feet high.
Trivia: Zebras
Scientific name: plain zebra or common zebra;
Common name: plain or common zebra; Mountain zebra; Fine-streaked zebra
Basic animal group: mammals
Size: 8.9 ft; Mountain, 7.7 feet
Weight: Plains zebra and fine-striped zebra, about 850-880 lbs; Mountain zebra, 620 lb
Lifespan: 10-11 years
Diet: Herbivores
Population: Plains: 150,000–250,000; Fine Lines: 2,680; Mountains: 35,000
Habitat: Once widely distributed in Africa, now in different populations
Conservation status: endangered (fine-striped zebra), vulnerable (mountain zebra), near threatened (plain zebra)
description
Zebras are members of the genus Equine, which also includes donkeys and horses. There are three types of zebras: plain or Burchel zebra (Equus quagga or E. burchellii), fine-striped zebra (Equus grevyi), and mountain zebra (Equus zebra).
Anatomical differences between zebra species are rather sparse: in general, mountain zebras are smaller and have evolutionary differences associated with living in mountain areas.
Mountain zebras have hard, sharp hooves that are great for walking on slopes, and they have pronounced draped flesh—loose skin folds under the chin, commonly found in cattle—plain zebras and fine-striped zebras do not.
Various donkeys, including the African wild ass (Equus asinus), have some stripes (for example, Equus asinus has stripes on the lower legs). Still, zebras are the most pronounced streaks among equines.
species
Each zebra has a unique pattern of stripes on its fur, which gives researchers an easy way to identify individuals.
The fine-striped zebra has a thick black hair-like stripe on its rump that extends to its tail, a wider neck than other zebra species, and a white belly. Plain zebras usually have shaded stripes (lighter streaks appear between darker stripes).
Like fine-striped zebras, some plains zebras have a white belly.
Zebras can be crossed with other members of the genus: plain zebras that cross with donkeys are called "zetangk". There are several subspecies of the plains zebra or Burchel zebra: the Grant zebra (Equus quagga boehmi) and the Chapman zebra (Equus quagga antiquorum).
The now-extinct donkey, once thought to be a separate species, is now considered a subspecies of the plain zebra (Equus quagga quagga).
Habitat and distribution
Most zebra species live in the arid and semi-arid plains and savannass of Africa: the plain zebra and the fine-striped zebra have different areas but overlap during migration.
However, mountain zebras live in the rugged mountainous regions of South Africa and Namibia. Mountain zebras are skilled climbers who perch on the slopes of mountains up to 6,500 feet above sea level.
All zebras are very flexible, with individuals recorded to move more than 50 miles. The plains zebra made the longest known terrestrial wildlife migration, spanning 300 miles between Namibia's Chobe River floodplain and Benecepan National Park in Botswana.
Diet and behavior
Regardless of habitat, zebras are herbivores, bulk roughage, and consume large amounts of grass every day.
They are also fully migratory species, migrating seasonally or year-round depending on seasonal vegetation changes and habitat. They often follow the long grass that grows after rain, changing their migration patterns to avoid adverse conditions or to find new resources.
Mountain and plain zebras live in family groups or harems and usually consist of a stallion, several mares, and their cubs. Non-breeding groups of bachelors and occasional females are also present.
For part of the year, harem and bachelor groups gather and move like herds, the timing and direction of which depends on seasonal vegetation changes in the habitat.
Males in breeding defend their resource territory (water and food) from 1 to 7.5 square miles; Non-territorial zebras can range up to 3,800 square miles. Male plain zebras fend off predators by kicking or biting, and they are known to kick dead hyenas with one kick.
Reproduction and offspring
Female zebras mature sexually at the age of three and can produce two to six offspring in their lifetime. The gestation period is between 12 and 13 months, depending on the species, and the average female gives birth approximately every two years. The variation in male fertility is much greater.
Different species pair their reproduction differently. Although plain and mountain zebras practice the harem strategy described above, fine-striped zebra females do not join the male harem.
Instead, they form loose and transient ties with many other females and males, with females with different reproductive states grouping themselves into groups that use different habitats. Males do not ally with females; They just build territory around the water.
Despite a chronically stable harem structure, plain zebras often unite in flocks to form polymale or monomale groups, providing polygamy opportunities for males and polyandries for females.
Protection status
The fine-striped zebra is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature; Mountain zebras are vulnerable; Plains zebras are in near threat.
Zebras have roamed all habitats in Africa except rainforests, deserts and sand dunes. Threats to them include droughts associated with climate change and agriculture, ongoing political unrest and habitat loss from hunting.
Bibliography:
About Zebra
Animal Encyclopedia
"IUCN Red List of Threatened Species"
