Species Information

The Zebra is a striped, hoofed mammal belonging to the genus Equus and the family Equidae. It is built like a sturdy fat pony. Equids (from the Family Equidae) are large and long-lived. They are built for swift locomotion and they have teeth especially adapted for cropping and grinding grass. There are seven species world-wide; the African Wild Ass and three species of zebra are African species.

Shorter and stockier than its cousin the horse, the Zebra is distinguished by bold, alternating, black (or dark brown) and white stripes. Zebra stripes are like human fingerprints -- no two zebras have the same stripe pattern, which makes it easy for scientists to identify individuals.

But why DO Zebras have stripes? While there are many theories, no one really knows. Some of the ideas which have been suggested by scientists include the following: Some scientists suggest that stripes act as a cooling system creating a mini-air conditioner or fan through a process called convection. As the Zebra stands in the sun, the black stripes get very hot -- almost 10 degrees Celsius hotter than the white stripes. The Zebra is able to withstand the heat as it has a special layer of fat which occurs ONLY underneath black stripes, insulating the zebra. The heat then causes air to start circulating: sweaty hot air rises off the stripes and is replaced by cooler, dryer air. Like a fan, the evaporation of sweat cools the zebra.

When they feel threatened, Zebras cluster together to confuse would-be predators with their stripes. Like many other herbivorous, grazing animals, Zebras move in herds and mingle with animals like antelopes, wildebeests, and ostriches. In the wild, it's primary enemies are the lion and the leopard. When chased by one of these predators, the Zebra can run up to 60 km/h (40 mph).

While the Plains Zebra is among the most common of Africa's large mammals, both Grevy's and Mountain Zebras have suffered large declines in numbers and loss of habitat and are threatened with extinction. Plains Zebras are not in danger yet - they can eat coarse grass and are resistant to diseases that affect cattle. So as long as the African plains exist, so too will the Plains Zebra.

Information source: Zebra Information Project, Virtual Zoo and the National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife