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Picture source:
The Zebra Photo Gallery
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Zebras belong to the horse family and are easily recognized because of the white and black striped coat. Although the range of the Zebra is limited to Africa, it is one of the most known and recognized African animals. The three species of Zebra have different stripe patterns and social structure. Grevy's, Mountain, and Plains Zebras also live in different parts of the continent.
It has been established that the oldest known relative of the Zebra is Eohippus. This animal is believed to have lived about sixty million years ago. All the members of the Equidae family are grazing animals. They feed mainly on grass. Despite the fact that the species has a lot of natural predators, it has managed to survive in the wid. However, the population size of the Zebra is low now. Grevy's and Mountain Zebras have an endangered status.
Zebras - Habitat Differences
Zebra habitat varies from one species to another. The three species of Zebras have different water needs. That is the basic reason why their habitats differ so much. Thus, the Grevy's Zebra is better adjusted for living in dry climates. This species does OK in northern Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. When water resources are scarce, the Grevy's Zebra will make waterholes in riverbed sand with the hooves.
Unlike the Grevy's Zebra, the Mountain Zebra survives dry seasons by moving to more favorable areas. Although the Mountain Zebra has been observed to use the technique of digging waterholes (like the one employed by the Grevy's Zebra), the species' needs are apparently not met. Therefore, Mountain Zebras live in higher grounds of South Africa.
The Plains Zebra has the widest habitat compared to that of the other two species. Plains Zebras are found in savanna, grasslands, and in the shrubs of East Africa. The species lives also in Angola. It is evident that the Plains Zebra does not manage dry seasons with ease. It has to be on the move constantly to find appropriate surface water resources.
Zebras - Social Structure
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Picture source:
Webshots com
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The social behavior of the Zebra differs from one species to another. As a rule, Zebras form herds. This provides for a better protection from predators. Since this wild animal spends a great deal of time feeding, it is an easy target for predators. There should be an adequate alarm system at the danger. Being part of a herd is good insurance against threats.
Plains Zebras form relatively small herds consisting of a few females with foals and one male. The male (stallion) defends the herd from predators and is the leader of the group. If the stallion is killed in a fight for a female, the herd is adopted by the winner. The foals spend one to three years with the mother. Then they leave the herd to join another group of males or take a leading role in a herd without a stallion.
Grevy's Zebras have larger herds. However, relationships between the group members are rarely stable. The most lasting relationship is that between a mother and a foal. Males mate with females in heat that happen to cross their territories. A herd may consist of up to a hundred Zebras.
Zebras - General Information Links
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Picture source:
Webshots com
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ABC-Kid.com - Zebras - View photos and educate yourself about the Zebra.
Africa's Striped Horses - Zebras can be recognized easily by their black and white striped body. There are three species of Zebra, all found in Africa.
Animal Fact Sheets: Plains Zebra - Classification and range, habitat, diet, reproduction, life cycle, and fascinating facts about Zebras.
Animal Trial: Zebras - Discover the facts about the African animal belonging to the horse family.
Comparative Mammalian Brain Collections: Zebra (Equus burchelli) - Brain map of the Zebra.
Detroit Zoological Society: Grevy's Zebras - Quick facts about Zebras.
Equus burchellii - General information on the Burchell's or Plains Zebra.
Factsheet: Grevy's Zebras - Distribution, habitat, diet, and other facts about the Grevy's Zebra. Also contains information on other Zebras.
Grant's Zebra - Equus burchelli bohmi - General information on the Grant's Zebra or Plains Zebra.
Grevy's Zebra - Equus grevyi - Physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and more.
Grevy's Zebra - Taxonomy, general characteristics, ontogeny and reproduction, ecology and behavior, and distribution.
Grevy's Zebra Fact Sheet - A useful fact sheet about Zebras from the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Grevy's Zebra Guide - Grevy's Zebra is the largest of the equids (a group that includes horses, asses and Zebras). Learn more.
How to Get a Head Without Hunting - Buy a stuffed Zebra head.
Kenyalogy - Plains Zebra - View photos of the species, as well as a map of where it occurs in Kenya. Describes its ecology and natural history.
Living Desert: The Grevy's Zebra - Enjoy photographs of the endangered animal and learn what it eats. Covers its gestation period.
MSN Encarta - Zebra - Explore an encyclopedia article about the striped animal and find links to related information.
Natural History - Zebra Zones - Read about the Plains, Mountain and Grevy's Zebras in an article about their social structures from the March 1998 issue of "Natural History."
Plains Zebra - Pictures and comments.
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Picture source:
Webshots com
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Plains Zebra - Wikipedia - General information on the species.
Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) - Information about Zebras, especially the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga).
Planet Pets: Zebras - Animal database provides black-and-white facts on this striped cousin of the horse. Read a theory on its markings, or learn about many species.
Ribbit Photography: Zebras - View pictures of Zebras.
Sharon Lynn's Zebra Images - Peruse photographs of Zebras grazing in the wild and traveling in herds.
The Burchell's Zebra - Equus burchelli of Southern Africa - A Guide to the Burchell's Zebra Equus burchelli.
The Development of Zebra Stripped Patterns - All the species have different strip patterns. Learn how they get them!
The Quagga Project - There has never been unanimous agreement between zoologists regarding the Quagga's relationship to other members of the horse family including Zebras. Acquire knowledge on the relations of Quagga with different species of Zebra.
Thumbnails Giraffe and Zebra's - Wallpaper images and sounds.
Wild Life: Zebras - Extensive information on the species. Contains Zebra description, habitat, diet, reproduction, and pictures.
Zebra - There are many extant variants of what are commonly grouped together as Zebras. Visit this page for more information.
Zebra - Wikipedia - Basic information on the Zebra.
Zebra Habitat - Habitat and general Information about the Plains Zebra.
Zebra Links Worldwide - Links to International sites about Zebras.
Zebra: Vertebrate Zoology - Learn about the anatomy, distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, ecology, and species of the herbivorous hoofed African mammal. Read on Mountain and Plains Zebras.
