Zebras

There are three living zebra species: the plains zebra, the mountain zebra and Grevy's zebra. They live in Africa and differ in size, stripes and habitat, among other things. Grevy's zebra is the largest species and has particularly narrow stripes. Zebras belong to the genus Equus, like domestic horses and donkeys. They share common ancestors and are therefore closely related. Unlike domestic horses, however, zebras were never successfully domesticated.

All zebras are striped black and white. However, the different species have varying numbers and sizes of stripes. They have a tuft at the end of their tails, unlike domestic horses, whose tails are made up of long hairs. Grevy’s zebras have about 80 closely spaced stripes, while mountain zebras have only about 45. Plains zebras have the broadest stripes. They also have horizontal stripes across the rear part of their bellies. There are several explanations for why zebras have stripes. One theory is that tsetse flies, which transmit the dangerous sleeping sickness, cannot see zebras because of their stripes. In hot, shimmering air, the striped animals are also hard for predators such as lions and leopards to spot in tall grass. The outlines of individual animals blur together in a large herd, making it harder for big cats to hunt any one animal. Perhaps the stripes also protect zebras from the sun or help them recognise one another. Zebras cannot be tamed, by the way. They cannot be ridden or harnessed to a cart or farm equipment. They are too wild and stubborn for that.

Female zebras can have their first foal at the age of 2. Pregnancy lasts an average of 370 days. Mares give birth to just one foal at a time. A newborn zebra weighs about 30 kilograms. It can stand after only a short time. Mares take very good care of their foals, which they nurse for up to a year and a half. Young zebras also start eating grass after only a short time. Mares always try to protect their young foals from danger. They make sure that other zebras or unfamiliar stallions—and especially predators—do not get too close. Foals always stay near their mothers. Young zebras grow very quickly: after just one year, they are as big as adults, although they still weigh a little less. After two years, the youngsters leave their mothers and join other zebra herds. In the wild, zebras can live up to 20 years; in captivity, they can live as long as 40 years.

These herds usually consist of a stallion, several mares and their foals. Sometimes stallions that do not yet have a herd of their own also form groups. The size of these herds depends on how much food the animals can find in their habitat. As a rule, no more than 15 to 20 animals live together. During the great migrations in the dry season, however, you can often see hundreds of zebras. Several herds then travel together to better grazing grounds. Usually, an experienced mare leads the herd, while the stallion brings up the rear and keeps watch over the group. If an animal gets separated, the others search until they find it. 

The zebras in the picture are seeking a little relief from the heat of the sun in the shade of dry trees. Almost all the animals are looking in different directions. This is no coincidence. Zebras always have to be on the lookout because predators hunt them. Lions in particular target them, but leopards and hyenas also prey on them. At night, zebras usually lie down to sleep in open areas, but at least one animal always keeps watch to warn the others of danger. Zebras can run very fast, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h over short distances. If they can no longer escape, they try to defend themselves. They can deliver powerful kicks with their front and hind legs. However, the zebra’s greatest enemy is humans. In the past, big-game hunters killed them for sport and took their striped hides as souvenirs. Many farmers still hunt zebras today because they worry that the animals will eat the food meant for their cattle.