Zebra
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Taxonomy (SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION)
CLASS: Mammalia (Mammals)
ORDER: Perissodactyla (Non-ruminant ungulate mammals like the horse, the tapir, and the rhinoceros who among other similar characteristics typically have an odd number of toes.) Notes: “Non-ruminant” = “an animal that doesn’t chew their cud”. “Ungulate” = “hoofed mammal”
FAMILY: Equidae (Asses, horses, and zebras)
GENERA/ SPECIES: (According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Grevy’s Zebra- Equus grevyi
Plains Zebra- Equus quagga
Mountain Zebra- Equus zebra
Sub-species of Mountain Zebra
Cape Mountain Zebra- Equus zebra zebra
Hartmann's Mountain Zebra- Equus zebra hartmannae
LIFE SPAN: Zebras can live up to 25 years in the wild.
HABITAT: Although all zebras live in Africa, each species has their own home areas. Plains Zebras inhabit the treeless grasslands and woodlands of Southern and Western Africa. Grevy's Zebras live in the dry grasslands of Ethiopia and Northern Kenya. Mountain Zebras are located in Namibia, Angola, and South Africa.
DIET: Zebras are herbivores (vegetation eaters) who eat mostly grass, though some also eat twigs and leaves. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, zebras will migrate up to 1,800 miles in search of food!
FUN FACTS
A male Zebra is called a stallion
A female Zebra is called a mare
A young Zebra is called a foal
A group of Zebras is called a herd
Zebras are swift animals who can reach speeds of up to 40 mph when they are at full gallop. This enables them to out run predators such as lions and leopards. Baby zebras are able to run with the herd within a few hours of being born!
Zebras are social animals who live together in large groups, called herds. When zebras migrate in search of food, they may form ‘super herds’ that are made up of thousands of individual zebras. Additionally, zebras may also join forces with other grazing animals such as wildebeest and impalas while they are traveling.
Although they appear peaceful while they are grazing, Zebras are actually fierce fighters! These animals forge strong bonds among themselves to help protect themselves from predators. When they are threatened, Zebras form a semi-circle facing the attacker, and prepare to strike if need be. And if one of the group is ever injured, the other Zebras will circle around the wounded and attempt to chase away the hungry attackers.
A Zebra’s stripes are like fingerprints. They are all unique to themselves and they help Zebras recognize each other.
It is thought that a Zebra’s stripy coat helps to break up more than 70% of the heat that comes from the warm African sun. Zebra's stripes also help keep them camouflaged in the tall grass and they make it harder for predators to single Zebras out. Their stripes make Zebras blend together with each other when they are in a group.
CONSERVATION STATUS
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the conservation status of Zebras is as follows:
Grevy’s Zebras are Endangered, which means that they are seriously at risk of becoming extinct. The IUCN states that these Zebras have endured a population reduction of 54% over the past 30 years. Their population is down from an estimated 5,800 Grevy’s Zebras in the late 1980s to a population of approximately 2,680 Grevy’s Zebras currently left in the wild.
Hunting is the primary reason for the decline of Grevy’s Zebras in Ethiopia. These Zebras are hunted primarily for their skins, but they are also occasionally killed for food and even for medicinal use in certain regions. Additionally, Grevy’s Zebras are facing competition for resources from other grazing wildlife as well as from cattle and livestock. This overgrazing and competition for water is causing the juvenile Grevy’s Zebras to have a low survival rate.
Plains Zebras are Near Threatened, which means that they may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future. The total population across the Plains Zebra’s range is estimated by the IUCN to be over 500,000 animals- with an estimated 150,000 to 250,000 of those Zebras being mature individuals. However, Plains Zebras have suffered a population reduction of 24% since 2002.
The major threat faced by Plains Zebras is hunting (primarily for their skins) throughout much of their habitat- especially when they move out of protected areas. These Zebras also experience difficulties with fenced in areas that can block their migration corridors
Mountain Zebras are Vulnerable, which means that it is likely they will become endangered unless the circumstances that are threatening their survival and their reproduction improve. The total population of Mountain Zebras is currently estimated at 9,000 mature individuals. The IUCN forecasts that this population could be subject to a decline of more than 10% over the course of the coming 27 years. This speculation is largely driven by the annual harvesting of the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra population.
The greatest threat to the Cape Mountain Zebra subspecies is the risk of crossing with Hartmann's Mountain Zebras, which have been introduced to the Eastern and Western Cape. The most important threats to Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras in Namibia are the production of livestock and farming activities such as fencing that prevent the Zebras from having access to water. Additionally, in Namibia there is commercial trade in Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra skins. These Zebras are reportedly being harvested at a rate of about 2,000-3,000 per year, which may exceed the rate of their population growth.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP ZEBRAS?
Educate yourself about Zebras and their circumstances by reviewing the materials presented below in the Resources section and other materials you may be able to find on your own.
Post messages on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and send emails to your family and friends expressing your concern for the plight of the Zebras and encouraging them to become involved as well.
Write letters to your elected officials in Washington DC, to leaders in nations where Zebras live, and to leaders in non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) that work in the fields of wildlife conservation and wildlife management explaining why the conservation of Zebras is important to you and encouraging these officials to work to help keep Zebras from ever becoming extinct in the wild.
Help to improve the environment around you and around the world by working to reduce, recycle, and reuse. This will help eliminate waste and will greatly improve the world in which we all live.
And when you shop at Joe’s Cowtown Photos, you can designate Zebra-centric programs and initiatives such as the World Wildlife Fund’s Adopt a Zebra Program, the African Wildlife Foundation’s Grevy’s Zebra Protection Program, and the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Grevy’s Zebra Trust as the beneficiary of the charitable portion of your purchase. (For more information on Joe’s Cowtown Photos charitable giving program, Cowtown Photos Cares!, click here.)
RESOURCES
Discover Wildlife: 10 Amazing Zebra Facts
National Geographic Kids: Zebra Facts
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species Grevy’s Zebra page
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species Plains Zebra page
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species Mountain Zebra page
The World Wildlife Fund’s Adopt a Zebra Program
The African Wildlife Foundation’s Grevy’s Zebra Protection Program
The Wildlife Conservation Network’s Grevy’s Zebra Trust
The United States House of Representatives Page
Credits
The information provided in this Animal Info page was compiled by Joe Hoffman (St. Pius X Elementary School Class of 1986 and Founder/Owner of Joe’s Cowtown Photos) and was proof-read and edited by Anita Striegel (Retired 8th Grade Teacher from St. Pius X Elementary School- Joe’s former teacher!)
To access the Animal Info main page, click here!