What is a zebra?
Zebras are African mammals known for their distinctive black and white stripes, which help deter biting horseflies. Despite much debate surrounding which is their ‘base’ colour, zebras are considered to be black with white stripes in their fur.
As part of the horse family, they have an equine-like appearance with long legs and a mane along their neck. Each zebra’s stripes are unique, much like human fingerprints.
Zebras are primarily found in various African habitats, ranging from savannahs and grasslands to mountainous regions. A zebra’s species determines their preferred habitat, with different types occupying different geographical areas.
There are three species of zebra—the plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and the mountain zebra. You can tell the different species apart by their different stripe patterns.
Plains zebras are the most common. They have wide stripes that are set far apart. They’re found in the grasslands across much of eastern and southern Africa.
Identifiable by their narrower stripes, Grevy’s zebra is the most threatened species. These zebras live in dry, sparsely wooded areas in Kenya and southern Ethiopia.
The mountain zebra lives in dry upland plains in southern Africa, particularly in Namibia.
Male Grevy’s zebras are larger than females. Both males and females are nearly the same size for the plains zebra and the mountain zebra.
Of all the species, the Grevy’s zebra is the largest, measuring 1.24 to 1.6 metres (4.1 to 5.3 feet) tall at the shoulder. They typically weigh 350 to 250 kilograms (750 to 1000 pounds).
The mountain zebra is a little shorter and lighter to help it navigate rugged terrain. It is 1.16 to 1.45 metres (3.8 to 4.8 feet) tall at the shoulder, and it weighs 200 to 430 kilograms (450 to 950 pounds).
Plains zebras are about the same size as their mountain-dwelling counterparts. They have an average height of 1.1 to 1.5 metres (3.6 to 4.8 feet) at the shoulder, weighing 175 to 400 kilograms (380 to 850 pounds).
Zebras are mammals, meaning they reproduce through giving birth to live young and nurse them with milk. After a gestation period of around 11 to 13 months, a female zebra gives birth to a single foal, which can stand and walk shortly after birth. The mother is generally the one who raises the young, though she receives additional protection and support from the herd.
Zebras play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They are considered ‘pioneer grazers’, and their grazing helps prevent the overgrowth of certain plant species, which leads to more biodiversity.
As herbivores, zebras eat only plants—mostly leaves, shrubbery, and small trees. They are a keystone species, meaning they are vital for the survival of their habitat. By eating taller, sturdier plants, zebras prepare the landscape for smaller animals who rely on shorter, more nutrient-dense grasses.
Additionally, zebras are an important prey species, supporting the carnivores in their ecosystems. They face threats from predators such as lions, hyenas, and crocodiles. Their speed and agility are crucial defence mechanisms, and they often travel and live in large packs for protection.
What is a zebra’s scientific name?
Each species of zebra has a different scientific name:
- Grevy’s zebra: Equus grevyi
- Mountain zebra: Equus zebra
- Plains zebra: Equus quagga
Grevy’s zebra is named after Jules Grevy, a former president of France. President Grevy was given a zebra as a gift in 1882 by the king of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). Zoologists realised this zebra was different from other species they had seen and named it after the president.
Are zebras endangered?
The three species of zebra have varied threat levels. According to the IUCN:
- Mountain zebras are vulnerable
- Plains zebras are near threatened (though they’re considered close to vulnerable)
- Grevy’s zebras are endangered
Where do zebras live?
The three species of zebra live in different areas across the African continent.
Grevy’s zebras live in arid shrubland and grassland in Kenya and some remote parts of southern Ethiopia.
Plains zebras are the species of zebra with the largest range and are found from South Sudan and southern Ethiopia as far east as the Nile River, and as far south as southern Angola and northern Namibia and northern South Africa. They thrive in savannahs, shrublands, and grasslands.
