Zebra - The Wild Animal

02/11/2023, 21:47 Zebra - Wikipedia
Zebra
Zebras (US: /ˈziːbrəz/, UK: /ˈzɛbrəz, ˈziː-/)[1] (subgenus

Hippotigris) are African equines with distinctive black- Zebra
and-white striped coats. There are three living species: the
Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), plains zebra (E. quagga), and Temporal range: Pleistocene to
the mountain zebra (E. zebra). Zebras share the genus recent
Equus with horses and asses, the three groups being the only
living members of the family Equidae. Zebra stripes come in
different patterns, unique to each individual. Several
theories have been proposed for the function of these stripes,
with most evidence supporting them as a deterrent for biting
flies. Zebras inhabit eastern and southern Africa and can be
found in a variety of habitats such as savannahs, grasslands,
woodlands, shrublands, and mountainous areas.
Zebras are primarily grazers and can subsist on lower-

quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by lions, and
typically flee when threatened but also bite and kick. Zebra
species differ in social behaviour, with plains and mountain
zebra living in stable harems consisting of an adult male or
stallion, several adult females or mares, and their young or
foals; while Grévy's zebra live alone or in loosely associated
herds. In harem-holding species, adult females mate only
with their harem stallion, while male Grévy's zebras
establish territories which attract females and the species is
A herd of plains zebras (Equus
promiscuous. Zebras communicate with various
vocalisations, body postures and facial expressions. Social quagga) in the Ngorongoro Crater in
grooming strengthens social bonds in plains and mountain Tanzania
zebras.
Scientific classification
Zebras' dazzling stripes make them among the most Domain: Eukaryota
recognisable mammals. They have been featured in art and
stories in Africa and beyond. Historically, they have been Kingdom: Animalia
highly sought after by exotic animal collectors, but unlike Phylum: Chordata
horses and donkeys, zebras have never been truly
domesticated. The International Union for Conservation of Class: Mammalia
Nature (IUCN) lists the Grévy's zebra as endangered, the Order: Perissodactyla
mountain zebra as vulnerable and the plains zebra as near-
threatened. The quagga (E. quagga quagga), a type of plains Family: Equidae
zebra, was driven to extinction in the 19th century. Genus: Equus
Nevertheless, zebras can be found in numerous protected
areas. Subgenus: Hippotigris
C. H. Smith, 1841
Etymology Species
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra 1/21
The English name "zebra" derives from Italian, Spanish or †E. capensis
Portuguese.[2][3] Its origins may lie in the Latin equiferus, E. grevyi
meaning "wild horse". Equiferus appears to have entered †E. koobiforensis
into Portuguese as ezebro or zebro, which was originally †E. mauritanicus
used for a legendary equine in the wilds of the Iberian †E. oldowayensis
Peninsula during the Middle Ages. In 1591, Italian explorer E. quagga
Filippo Pigafetta recorded "zebra" being used to refer to the E. zebra
African animals by Portuguese visitors to the continent.[4] In
ancient times, the African zebra was called hippotigris
("horse tiger") by the Greeks and Romans.[4][5]
The word zebra was traditionally pronounced with a long

initial vowel, but over the course of the 20th century the
pronunciation with the short initial vowel became the norm
in British English.[6] The pronunciation with a long initial
vowel remains standard in American English.[7]
Taxonomy
Zebras are classified in the genus Equus (known as equines)
along with horses and asses. These three groups are the only
Modern range of the three living zebra
living members of the family Equidae.[8] The plains zebra
and mountain zebra were traditionally placed in the species
subgenus Hippotigris (C. H. Smith, 1841) in contrast to the
Grévy's zebra which was considered the sole species of subgenus Dolichohippus (Heller,
1912).[9][10][11] Groves and Bell (2004) placed all three species in the subgenus Hippotigris.[12] A
2013 phylogenetic study found that the plains zebra is more closely related to Grévy's zebras than
mountain zebras.[13] The extinct quagga was originally classified as a distinct species.[14] Later
genetic studies have placed it as the same species as the plains zebra, either a subspecies or just the
southernmost population.[15][16] Molecular evidence supports zebras as a monophyletic
lineage.[13][17][18]
Equus originated in North America and direct paleogenomic sequencing of a 700,000-year-old

middle Pleistocene horse metapodial bone from Canada implies a date of 4.07 million years ago
(mya) for the most recent common ancestor of the equines within the range of 4.0 to 4.5 mya.[19]
Horses split from asses and zebras around this time and equines colonised Eurasia and Africa
around 2.1–3.4 mya. Zebras and asses diverged from each other close to 2 mya. The mountain
zebra diverged from the other species around 1.6 mya and the plains and Grévy's zebra split 1.4
mya.[20]
A 2017 mitochondrial DNA study placed the Eurasian Equus ovodovi and the subgenus
Sussemionus lineage as closer to zebras than to asses.[21] However, other studies disputed this
placement, finding the Sussemionus lineage basal to the zebra+asses group, but suggested that the
Sussemionus lineage may have received gene flow from zebras.[22]
The cladogram of Equus below is based on Vilstrup and colleagues (2013) and Jónsson and
colleagues (2014):[13][20]
⁠Equus ⁠ ⁠
⁠Mountain zebra (E. zebra)
⁠
⁠
⁠Zebras ⁠
⁠ ⁠
Plains zebra (E. quagga)
⁠
⁠Grévy's zebra (E. grevyi)
⁠
⁠ ⁠
⁠Kiang (E. kiang)
⁠
⁠
⁠ ⁠
⁠Onager (E. hemionus) Quagga mare at London Zoo, 1870,
⁠Wild asses ⁠
⁠ the only specimen photographed
alive. This animal was historically
considered a separate species but
⁠African wild ass (E. africanus) is now considered a subspecies or
⁠
population of plains zebra.
⁠
⁠
Horse (E. ferus caballus)
⁠Horses
⁠
⁠Przewalski's horse (E. ferus przewalski)
⁠
Extant species
Name Description Distribution Subspecies Chromosomes Image

Body length of 250–
300 cm (98–118 in)
with 38–75 cm (15–
30 in) tail, 125–
160 cm (4.10–5.25 ft)
shoulder height and
Eastern Africa
weighs 352–450 kg
Grévy's including the
(776–992 lb);[23] Thin,
zebra Horn;[24] arid and
(Equus
elongated skull,
semiarid Monotypic[24] 46[26]
robust neck and
grevyi) grasslands and
conical ears; narrow
striping pattern with shrublands[26]
concentric rump
stripes, white belly
and tail base and
white line around the
ashy muzzle[8][24][25]
Plains Body length of 217– Eastern and 6[12] or 44[32]
zebra 246 cm (85–97 in) southern Africa; monotypic[16]
(Equus with 47–56 cm (19– savannahs,
quagga) 22 in) tail, 110– grasslands and
145 cm (43–57 in) open woodlands[31]
shoulder height and
weighs 175–385 kg
(386–849 lb);[23] Thick
bodied with relatively
short legs and an
obtusely-shaped skull
profile with a
protruding forehead
and a more recessed
nose area;[8][27] broad
stripes, horizontal on
the rump, with
northern populations
having more
extensive striping
while populations
further south have
whiter legs and bellies
and more brown
"shadow" stripes. The
snout is
black.[8][28][29][30]
Body length of 210–
260 cm (83–102 in)
with 40–55 cm (16–
22 in) tail, 116–
146 cm (46–57 in)
shoulder height and
weighs 204–430 kg
(450–948 lb);[23] eye
sockets more circular
and positioned farther Southwestern
Mountain Africa; mountains,
back, a squarer
zebra
(Equus
nuchal crest, dewlap rocky uplands and 2[33] 32[26]
present under neck Karoo
zebra)
and compact hooves; shrubland[31][33][30]
stripes intermediate in
width between the
other species, with
gridiron and horizontal
stripes on the rump,
while the belly is white
and the black muzzle
is lined with chestnut
or orange[33][8][34][26]
Fossil record
In addition to the three living species, some fossil zebras and

relatives have also been identified. Equus koobiforensis is an
early equine basal to zebras found in the Shungura Formation,
Ethiopia and the Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, and dated to around
2.3 mya.[35] E. oldowayensis is identified from remains in Fossil skull of Equus mauritanicus
Olduvai Gorge dating to 1.8 mya. [36] Fossil skulls of E.
mauritanicus from Algeria which date to around 1 mya appears
to show affinities with the plains zebra.[37][38] E. capensis, known as the Cape zebra, appeared
around 2 mya and lived throughout southern and eastern Africa.[39][36] Non-African equines that
may have been basal to zebras include E. sansaniensis of Eurasia (circa 2.5 mya) and E. namadicus
(circa 2.5 mya) and E. sivalensis (circa 2.0 mya) of the Indian subcontinent.[35]
Hybridisation
Fertile hybrids have been reported in the wild between plains and Grévy's zebra.[40] Hybridisation
has also been recorded between the plains and mountain zebra, though it is possible that these are
infertile due to the difference in chromosome numbers between the two species.[41] Captive zebras
have been bred with horses and donkeys; these are known as zebroids. A zorse is a cross between a
zebra and a horse; a zonkey, between a zebra and a donkey; and a zoni, between a zebra and a
pony. Zebroids are often born sterile with dwarfism.[42]
Characteristics
As with all wild equines, zebra have barrel-chested bodies with
tufted tails, elongated faces and long necks with long, erect
manes. Their thin legs are each supported by a spade-shaped
toe covered in a hard hoof. Their dentition is adapted for
grazing; they have large incisors that clip grass blades and Skeleton of a Grévy's zebra at the
rough molars and premolars well suited for grinding. Males State Museum of Natural History
have spade-shaped canines, which can be used as weapons in Karlsruhe
fighting. The eyes of zebras are at the sides and far up the head,
which allows them to look over the tall grass while feeding.
Their moderately long, erect ears are movable and can locate the source of a sound.[8][28][34]
Unlike horses, zebras and asses have chestnut callosities present only on their front legs. In
contrast to other living equines, zebra have longer front legs than back legs.[34] Diagnostic traits of
the zebra skull include: its relatively small size with a straight dorsal outline, protruding eye
sockets, narrower rostrum, less conspicuous postorbital bar, separation of the metaconid and
metastylid of the tooth by a V-shaped canal and rounded enamel wall.[43]
Stripes
Zebras are easily recognised by their bold black-and-white

striping patterns. The coat appears to be white with black
stripes, as indicated by the belly and legs when unstriped, but
the skin is black.[44][45][46] Young or foals are born with brown
and white coats, and the brown darkens with age.[27][24] A
dorsal line acts as the backbone for vertical stripes along the
sides, from the head to the rump. On the snout they curve
toward the nostrils, while the stripes above the front legs split
into two branches. On the rump, they develop into species-
specific patterns. The stripes on the legs, ears and tail are
Comparative illustration of living separate and horizontal.[44]
zebra species
Striping patterns are unique to an individual and heritable.[47]
During embryonic development, the stripes appear at eight
months, but the patterns may be determined at three to five weeks. For each species there is a
point in embryonic development where the stripes are perpendicular to the dorsal line and spaced
0.4 mm (0.016 in) apart. However, this happens at three weeks of development for the plains
zebra, four weeks for the mountain zebra, and five for Grévy's zebra. The difference in timing is
thought to be responsible for the differences in the striping patterns of the different species.[44]
Various abnormalities of the patterns have been documented in plains zebras. In melanistic zebras,
dark stripes are highly concentrated on the torso but the legs are whiter. "Spotted" individuals have
broken up black stripes around the dorsal area.[48] There have even been morphs with white spots
on dark backgrounds.[49] Striping abnormalities have been linked to inbreeding.[48] Albino zebras
have been recorded in the forests of Mount Kenya, with the dark stripes being blonde.[50] The
quagga had brown and white stripes on the head and neck, brown upper parts and a white belly,
tail and legs.[51]
Function
The function of stripes in zebras has been discussed among biologists since at least the 19th
century.[52] Popular hypotheses include the following:
The crypsis hypothesis suggests that the stripes allow the animal to blend in with its
environment or break out its outline so predators can not perceive it as a single entity. This was
the earliest hypothesis and proponents argued that the stripes were particularly suited for
camouflage in tall grassland and woodland habitat. Alfred Wallace also wrote in 1896 that
stripes make zebras less noticeable at night. Zebras graze in open habitat and do not behave
cryptically, being noisy, fast, and social. They do not freeze when detecting a predator. In
addition, lions and hyenas do not appear to perceive the stripes when they are certain distance
away during daytime, thus making the stripes useless in disrupting the outline. Stripes also do
not appear to make zebras more difficult to find than more solidly coloured animals of similar
size, and predators may still be able to detect them by scent or hearing. The camouflaging
stripes of woodland living ungulates like bongos and bushbucks are much less vivid with less
contrast with the background colour.[53][54] In addition, unlike tiger stripes, the spatial
frequencies of zebra stripes do not line up with their environment.[55] A 2014 study of wild
equine species and subspecies could not find any correlations between striping patterns and
woodland habitats.[54] Zebras being less noticeable at night than other prey animals is not
supported by modern experiments.[56]
The confusion hypothesis states that the stripes confuse

predators, be it by: making it harder to distinguish
individuals in a group as well as determining the number of
zebras in a group; making it difficult to determine an
individual's outline when the group runs away; reducing a
predator's ability to keep track of a target during a chase;
dazzling an assailant so they have difficulty making contact;
or making it difficult for a predator to deduce the zebra's
size, speed and direction via motion dazzle. This theory has Closeup of mountain zebra stripes
been proposed by several biologists since at least the
1970s.[57] A 2014 computer study of zebra stripes found
that they may create a wagon-wheel effect and/or barber pole illusion when in motion. The
researchers concluded that this could be used against mammalian predators or biting flies.[58]
The use of the stripes for confusing mammalian predators has been questioned. The stripes of
zebras could make groups seem smaller, and thus more likely to be attacked. Zebras also tend
to scatter when fleeing from attackers and thus the stripes could not break up an individual's
outline. Lions, in particular, appear to have no difficulty targeting and catching zebras when
they get close and take them by ambush.[59] In addition, no correlations have been found
between the amount of stripes and populations of mammal predators.[54] Hughes and
colleagues (2021) concluded that solidly grey and less contrasted patterns are more likely to
escape being caught when in motion.[60]
The aposematic hypothesis suggests that the stripes serve as warning colouration. This
hypothesis was first suggested by Wallace in 1867 and discussed in more detail by Edward
Bagnall Poulton in 1890. As with known aposematic mammals, zebras are recognisable up
close, live in more open environments, have a high risk of predation and do not hide or act
inconspicuous. However they are frequently preyed on by lions, suggesting that stripes do not
work on them but may on smaller predators, and are not slow-moving enough to need to ward
off threats. They also do not possess adequate defenses to back up the warning pattern.[61]
The social function hypothesis states that stripes serve a role in intraspecific or individual
recognition, social bonding, mutual grooming or a signal of fitness. Charles Darwin wrote in
1871 that "a female zebra would not admit the addresses of a male ass until he was painted so
as to resemble a zebra" while Wallace stated in 1871 that: "The stripes therefore may be of use
by enabling stragglers to distinguish their fellows at a distance". Regarding species and
individual identification, zebras have limited range overlap with each other and horses can
recognise each other using visual communication.[62] In addition, no correlation has been
found between striping and social behaviour or group numbers among equines,[54] and no link
has been found between fitness and striping.[63]
The thermoregulatory hypothesis suggests that stripes help to control a zebra's body
temperature. In 1971, biologist H. A. Baldwin noted that heat would be absorbed by the black
stripes and reflected by the white ones. In 1990, zoologist Desmond Morris suggested that the
stripes create cooling convection currents.[64] A 2019 study supported this, finding that where
the faster air currents of the warmer black stripes meet those of the white, air swirls form. The
researchers also concluded that during the hottest times of the day, zebras erect the black hair
to release heat from the skin and flatten it to retain heat when it gets cooler.[65] Larison and
colleagues (2015) determined that environmental temperature is a strong predictor for zebra
striping patterns.[66] Others have found no evidence that zebras have lower body temperatures
than other ungulates whose habitat they share, or that striping correlates with
temperature.[67][54] A 2018 experimental study which dressed water-filled metal barrels in
horse, zebra and cattle hides concluded that the zebra stripes had no effect on
thermoregulation.[68]
The fly protection hypothesis holds that the stripes deter

blood-sucking flies. Horse flies, in particular, spread
diseases that are lethal to equines such as African horse
sickness, equine influenza, equine infectious anemia and
trypanosomiasis. In addition, zebra hair is about as long as
the mouthparts of these flies.[54] This hypothesis is the most
strongly supported by the evidence.[69][70] It was found that
flies preferred landing on solidly coloured surfaces over
those with black-and-white striped patterns in 1930 by
biologist R. Harris,[71] and this was proposed to have been
a function of zebra stripes in a 1981 study.[72] A 2014 study
found a correlation between striping and overlap with horse
and tsetse fly populations and activity.[54] Other studies
have found that zebras are rarely targeted by these insect Comparison of flight patterns and
species.[73] Caro and colleagues (2019) studied captive contact/landings of horse flies
zebras and horses and observed that neither could deter around domestic horses (a-c) and
flies from a distance, but zebra stripes kept flies from plains zebras (d-f).[69]
landing, both on zebras and horses dressed in zebra print
coats.[69] There does not appear to be any difference in the
effectiveness of repelling flies between the different zebra species; thus the difference in
striping patterns may have evolved for other reasons.[70] White or light stripes painted on dark
bodies have also been found to reduce fly irritations in both cattle and humans.[74][75] How the
stripes repel flies is less clear.[70] A 2012 study concluded that they disrupt the polarised light
patterns these insects use to locate water and habitat,[76] though subsequent studies have
refuted this.[77][78][79] Stripes do not appear to work like a barber pole against flies since
checkered patterns also repel them.[77][80] There is also little evidence that zebra stripes
confuse the insects via aliasing.[77] Takács and colleagues (2022) suggest that, when the
animal is in sunlight, temperature gradients between the warmer dark stripes and cooler white
stripes prevent horseflies from detecting the warm blood vessels underneath.[78] Caro and
colleagues (2023) conclude that the insects are confused by the high colour contrast and
relative thinness of the patterns.[77]
Behaviour and ecology

Zebras may travel or migrate to wetter areas during the dry
season.[27][28] Plains zebras have been recorded travelling
500 km (310 mi) between Namibia and Botswana, the longest
land migration of mammals in Africa.[81] When migrating, they
appear to rely on some memory of the locations where foraging
conditions were best and may predict conditions months after
their arrival.[82] Plains zebras are more water-dependent and
live in moister environments than other species. They usually
Mountain zebra dustbathing in
can be found 10–12 km (6.2–7.5 mi) from a water
Namibia
source.[27][28][30] Grévy's zebras can survive almost a week
without water but will drink it every day when given the chance,
and their bodies maintain water better than cattle.[83][24] Mountain zebras can be found at
elevations of up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[84] Zebras sleep for seven hours a day, standing up during
the day and lying down during the night. They regularly use various objects as rubbing posts and
will roll on the ground.[28]
A zebra's diet is mostly grasses and sedges, but they will

opportunistically consume bark, leaves, buds, fruits, and roots.
Compared to ruminants, zebras have a simpler and less
efficient digestive system. Nevertheless, they can subsist on
lower-quality vegetation. Zebras may spend 60–80% of their
time feeding, depending on the availability of vegetation.[8][28]
The plains zebra is a pioneer grazer, mowing down the upper,
less nutritious grass canopy and preparing the way for more
Plains zebras at Okavango Delta, specialised grazers, which depend on shorter and more
Botswana nutritious grasses below.[85]
Zebras are preyed on mainly by lions. Leopards, cheetahs,

spotted hyenas, brown hyenas and wild dogs pose less of a threat to adults.[86] Nile crocodiles also
prey on zebras when they near water.[87] Biting and kicking are a zebra's defense tactics. When
threatened by lions, zebras flee, and when caught they are rarely effective in fighting off the big
cats.[88] In one study, the maximum speed of a zebra was found to be 50 km/h (31 mph) while a
lion was measured at 74 km/h (46 mph). Zebras do not escape lions by speed alone but by
sideways turning, especially when the cat is close behind.[89] With smaller predators like hyenas
and dogs, zebras may act more aggressively, especially in defense of their young.[90]
Social behaviour
Zebra species have two basic social structures. Plains and mountain zebras live in stable, closed
family groups or harems consisting of one stallion, several mares, and their offspring. These
groups have their own home ranges, which overlap, and they tend to be nomadic. Stallions form
and expand their harems by recruiting young mares from their natal (birth) harems. The stability
of the group remains even when the family stallion is displaced. Plains zebras groups gather into
large herds and may create temporarily stable subgroups within a herd, allowing individuals to
interact with those outside their group. Females in harems can spend more time feeding, and gain
protection both for them and their young. The females have a linear dominance hierarchy with the
high-ranking females being the ones that have lived in the group longest. While traveling, the most
dominant females and their offspring lead the group, followed by the
next most dominant. The family stallion trails behind. Young of both
sexes leave their natal groups as they mature; females are usually
herded by outside males to become part of their harems.[8][28][91]
In the more arid-living Grévy's zebras, adults have more fluid

associations and adult males establish large territories, marked by
dung piles, and mate with the females that enter them.[28][8] Grazing
and drinking areas tend to be separated in these environments and the
most dominant males establish territories near watering holes, which A plains zebra group
attract females with dependent foals and those who simply want a
drink, while less dominant males control territories away from water
with more vegetation, and only attract mares without foals.[92] Mares may travel through several
territories but remain in one when they have young. Staying in a territory offers a female
protection from harassment by outside males, as well as access to resources.[91][93]
In all species, excess males gather in bachelor groups. These are

typically young males that are not yet ready to establish a
harem or territory.[8][28] With the plains zebra, the oldest
males are the most dominant and group membership is
stable.[28] Bachelor groups tend to be at the boundaries of
herds and during group movements, the bachelors follow
behind or along the sides.[30] Mountain zebra bachelor groups
may also include young females that have left their natal group
early, as well as old, former harem males. A territorial Grévy's
Group of Grévy's zebras grazing
zebra stallion may allow non-territorial bachelors in their
territory, however when a mare in oestrous is present the
territorial stallion keeps other stallions at bay. Bachelors
prepare for their future harem roles with play fights and greeting/challenge rituals, which make up
most of their activities.[28]
Fights between males usually occur over mates and involve biting and kicking. In plains zebra,
stallions fight each other over recently matured mares to bring into their group and her family
stallion will fight off other males trying to abduct her. As long as a harem stallion is healthy, he is
not usually challenged. Only unhealthy stallions have their harems taken over, and even then, the
new stallion slowly takes over, peacefully displacing the old one. Agonistic behaviour between male
Grévy's zebras occurs at the border of their territories.[28]
Communication
Zebras produce a number of vocalisations and noises. The

plains zebra has a distinctive, barking contact call heard as "a-
ha, a-ha, a-ha" or "kwa-ha, kaw-ha, ha, ha".[27][28] The
mountain zebra may produce a similar sound while the call of
the Grévy's zebra has been described as "something like a
hippo's grunt combined with a donkey's wheeze". Loud snorting
and rough "gasping" in zebras signals alarm. Squealing is
usually made when in pain, but can also be heard in friendly Plains zebras mutually grooming
interactions. Zebras also communicate with visual displays, and
the flexibility of their lips allows them to make complex facial
expressions. Visual displays also consist of head, ear, and tail postures. A zebra may signal an
intention to kick by dropping back its ears and whipping its tail. Flattened ears, bared teeth and a
waving head may be used as threatening gestures by stallions.[28]
Individuals may greet each other by rubbing and sniffing and then mutually rub their cheeks, and
move along their bodies towards each other's genitals to sniff. They then may caress their
shoulders against each other and lay their heads on one another. This greeting usually occurs
between harem or territorial males or among bachelor males playing.[28] Plains and mountain
zebras strengthen their social bonds with grooming. Members of a harem nibble and rake along the
neck, shoulder, and back with their teeth and lips. Grooming usually occurs between mothers and
foals and between stallions and mares. Grooming establishes social rank and eases aggressive
behaviour,[28][94] although Grévy's zebras generally do not perform social grooming.[24]
Reproduction and parenting
Among plains and mountain zebras, the adult females mate

only with their harem stallion, while in Grévy's zebras, mating
is more promiscuous and the males have larger testes for sperm
competition.[92][95] Female zebras have five to ten day long
oestrous cycles; physical signs include a swollen, everted
(inside out) labia and copious flows of urine and mucus. Among
reaching peak oestrous, mares spread-out their legs, lift their
tails and open their mouths when in the presence of a male.
Captive Grévy's zebras mating Males assess the female's reproductive state with a curled lip
and bared teeth (flehmen response) and the female will solicit
mating by backing in. Gestation is typically around a year. A
few days to a month later, mares can return to oestrus.[28] In harem-holding species, oestrus in a
female becomes less noticeable to outside males as she gets older, hence competition for older
females is virtually nonexistent.[27]
Usually, a single foal is born, which is capable of running within

an hour of birth.[8] A newborn zebra will follow anything that
moves, so new mothers prevent other mares from approaching
their foals as they become more familiar with the mother's
striping pattern, smell and voice.[24] At a few weeks old, foals
begin to graze, but may continue to nurse for eight to thirteen
months.[8] Living in an arid environment, Grévy's zebras have
longer nursing intervals and young only begin to drink water
three months after birth.[96] Mountain zebra suckling a foal
In plains and mountain zebras, foals are cared for mostly by

their mothers, but if threatened by pack-hunting hyenas and dogs, the entire group works together
to protect all the young. The group forms a protective front with the foals in the centre, and the
stallion will rush at predators that come too close.[28] In Grévy's zebras, young stay in
"kindergartens" when their mothers leave for water. These groups are tended to by the territorial
male.[96] A stallion may look after a foal in his territory to ensure that the mother stays, though it
may not be his.[91] By contrast, plains zebra stallions are generally intolerant of foals that are not
theirs and may practice infanticide and feticide via violence to the pregnant mare.[97]
Human relations
Cultural significance
With their distinctive black-and-white stripes, zebras are

among the most recognisable mammals. They have been
associated with beauty and grace, with naturalist Thomas
Pennant describing them in 1781 as "the most elegant of
quadrupeds". Zebras have been popular in photography, with
some wildlife photographers describing them as the most
photogenic animal. They have become staples in children's
stories and wildlife-themed art, such as depictions of Noah's
Ark. In children's alphabet books, the animals are often used to San rock art depicting a zebra
represent the letter 'Z'. Zebra stripe patterns are popularly used
for body paintings, dress, furniture and architecture.[98]
Zebras have been featured in African art and culture for millennia. They are depicted in rock art in
Southern Africa dating from 28,000 to 20,000 years ago, though less often than antelope species
like eland. How the zebra got its stripes has been the subject of folk tales, some of which involve it
being scorched by fire. The Maasai proverb "a man without culture is like a zebra without stripes"
has become popular in Africa. The San people connected zebra stripes with water, rain and
lighting, and water spirits were conceived of having these markings.[99]
For the Shona people, the zebra is a totem animal and is glorified in a
poem as an "iridescent and glittering creature". Its stripes have
symbolised the union of male and female and at the ruined city of
Great Zimbabwe, zebra stripes decorate what is believed to be a
domba, a school meant to prepare girls for adulthood. In the Shona
language, the name madhuve means "woman/women of the zebra
totem" and is a name for girls in Zimbabwe. The plains zebra is the
national animal of Botswana and zebras have been depicted on stamps
during colonial and post-colonial Africa. For people of the African
diaspora, the zebra represented the politics of race and identity, being
both black and white.[100]
"Zebra Stripes," trademark
for the defunct Glen Raven In cultures outside of its range, the zebra has been thought of as a
Cotton Mills Company more exotic alternative to the horse; the comic book character Sheena,
Queen of the Jungle, is depicted riding a zebra and explorer Osa
Johnson was photographed riding one. The film Racing Stripes
features a captive zebra ostracised from the horses and ends up being ridden by a rebellious girl.
Zebras have been featured as characters in animated films like Khumba, The Lion King and the
Madagascar films and television series such as Zou.[101]
Zebras have been popular subjects for abstract, modernist and surrealist artists. Such art includes
Christopher Wood's Zebra and Parachute, Lucian Freud's The Painter's Room and Quince on a
Blue Table and the various paintings of Mary Fedden and Sidney Nolan. Victor Vasarely depicted
zebras as black and white lines and connected in a jigsaw puzzle fashion. Carel Weight's Escape of
the Zebra from the Zoo during an Air Raid was based on a real life incident of a zebra escaping
during the bombing of London Zoo and consists of four comic book-like panels. Zebras have lent
themselves to products and advertisements, notably for 'Zebra Grate Polish' cleaning supplies by
British manufacturer Reckitt and Sons and Japanese pen manufacturer Zebra Co., Ltd.[102]
Captivity
Zebras have been kept in captivity since at least the Roman Empire. In later times, captive zebras
have been shipped around the world, often for diplomatic reasons. In 1261, Sultan Baibars of Egypt
established an embassy with Alfonso X of Castile and sent a zebra and other exotic animals as gifts.
In 1417, a zebra was gifted to the Chinese people by Somalia and displayed before the Yongle
Emperor. The fourth Mughal emperor Jahangir received a zebra from

Ethiopia in 1620 and Ustad Mansur made a painting of it. In the
1670s, Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes I exported two zebras to the
Dutch governor of Jakarta. These animals would eventually be given
by the Dutch to the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan.[103]
When Queen Charlotte received a zebra as a wedding gift in 1762, the

animal became a source of fascination for the people of Britain. Many
flocked to see it at its paddock at Buckingham Palace. It soon became Zebra (1763) by George
the subject of humour and satire, being referred to as "The Queen's Stubbs. A portrait of Queen
Ass", and was the subject of an oil painting by George Stubbs in 1763. Charlotte's zebra
The zebra also gained a reputation for being ill-tempered and kicked at
visitors.[104] In 1882, Ethiopia sent a zebra to French president Jules
Grévy, and the species it belonged to was named in his honour.[9]
Attempts to domesticate zebras were largely unsuccessful. It is

possible that having evolved under pressure from the many large
predators of Africa, including early humans, they became more
aggressive, thus making domestication more difficult.[105] However,
zebras have been trained throughout history. In Rome, zebras are
Walter Rothschild with a recorded to have pulled chariots during amphitheatre games starting
zebra carriage in the reign of Caracalla (198 to 217 AD).[106] In the late 19th century,
the zoologist Walter Rothschild trained some zebras to draw a carriage
in England, which he drove to Buckingham Palace to demonstrate that
it can be done. However, he did not ride on them knowing that they were too small and
aggressive.[107] In the early 20th century, German colonial officers in East Africa tried to use
zebras for both driving and riding, with limited success.[108]
Conservation
As of 2016–2019, the IUCN Red List of mammals lists the Grévy's
zebra as endangered, the mountain zebra as vulnerable and the plains
zebra as near-threatened. Grévy's zebra populations are estimated at
less than 2,000 mature individuals, but they are stable. Mountain
zebras number near 35,000 individuals and their population appears
to be increasing. Plains zebra are estimated to number 150,000–
250,000 with a decreasing population trend. Human intervention has
fragmented zebra ranges and populations. Zebras are threatened by
hunting for their hide and meat, and habitat destruction. They also
compete with livestock and have their travelling routes obstruct by
fences.[109][110][111] Civil wars in some countries have also caused
Mountain zebra hide declines in zebra populations.[112] By the early 20th century, zebra
skins were being used to make rugs and chairs. In the 21st century,
zebras may be taken by trophy hunters as zebra skin rugs sell for
$1,000 to $2,000. Trophy hunting was rare among African peoples though the San were known to
hunt zebra for meat.[113]
The quagga (E. quagga quagga) population was hunted by early Dutch settlers and later by
Afrikaners to provide meat or for their skins. The skins were traded or used locally. The quagga
was probably vulnerable to extinction due to its restricted range, and because they were easy to
find in large groups. The last known wild quagga died in 1878.[114] The last captive quagga, a
female in Amsterdam's Natura Artis Magistra zoo, lived there from 9 May 1867 until it died on
12 August 1883.[115]
The Cape mountain zebra, a subspecies of
mountain zebra, nearly went extinct due to hunting and habitat
destruction, with less than 50 individuals left by the 1950s.
Protections from South African National Parks allowed the
population to rise to 2,600 by the 2010s.[116]
Zebras can be found in numerous protected areas. Important

areas for the Grévy's zebra include Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary
Endangered Grévy's zebras in
and Chelbi Sanctuary in Ethiopia and Buffalo Springs, Samburu
Samburu National Reserve
and Shaba National Reserves in Kenya.[109] The plains zebra
inhabits the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Tsavo and
Masai Mara in Kenya, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe,
Etosha National Park in Namibia, and Kruger National Park in South Africa.[111] Mountain zebras
are protected in Mountain Zebra National Park, Karoo National Park and Goegap Nature Reserve
in South Africa as well as Etosha and Namib-Naukluft Park in Namibia.[110][117]
See also
Fauna of Africa
Lord Morton's mare
Primitive markings – markings found on other equines
Zonkey (Tijuana) – a donkey painted with zebra stripes
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General bibliography
Caro, Tim (2016). Zebra Stripes (https://books.google.com/books?id=3o-EDQAAQBAJ&q=zebr
a+stripes). University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-41101-9.
Plumb, C.; Shaw, S. (2018). Zebra (https://books.google.com/books?id=8GxaDwAAQBAJ&q=z
ebra+reaktion). Reaktion Books. ISBN 9781780239712.
External links
The Quagga Project (https://quaggaproject.org/)—An organisation that selectively breeds
zebras to recreate the hair coat pattern of the quagga
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02/11/2023, 21:47 Zebra - Wikipedia

Zebras (US: /ˈziːbrəz/, UK: /ˈzɛbrəz, ˈziː-/)[1] (subgenus

Zebras are primarily grazers and can subsist on lower-

The word zebra was traditionally pronounced with a long

Equus originated in North America and direct paleogenomic sequencing of a 700,000-year-old

Name Description Distribution Subspecies Chromosomes Image

In addition to the three living species, some fossil zebras and

Zebras are easily recognised by their bold black-and-white

The confusion hypothesis states that the stripes confuse

The fly protection hypothesis holds that the stripes deter

Behaviour and ecology

A zebra's diet is mostly grasses and sedges, but they will

Zebras are preyed on mainly by lions. Leopards, cheetahs,

In the more arid-living Grévy's zebras, adults have more fluid

In all species, excess males gather in bachelor groups. These are

Zebras produce a number of vocalisations and noises. The

Reproduction and parenting

Among plains and mountain zebras, the adult females mate

Usually, a single foal is born, which is capable of running within

In plains and mountain zebras, foals are cared for mostly by

With their distinctive black-and-white stripes, zebras are

Emperor. The fourth Mughal emperor Jahangir received a zebra from

When Queen Charlotte received a zebra as a wedding gift in 1762, the

Attempts to domesticate zebras were largely unsuccessful. It is

Zebras can be found in numerous protected areas. Important

11. "Dolichohippus" (https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_

83. Youth, H. (November–December 2004). "Thin stripes on a thin line" (https://web.archive.org/we

103. Plumb & Shaw 2018, pp. 55–62 (https://books.google.com/books?id=8GxaDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT

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