Characteristics of the zebra to further admire these wild animals of the African savanna.
The coat of these animals is extremely characteristic, it is enough to recognize the pattern of black and white stripes to be sure that it is a zebra. These equids have general patterns on their stripes, however, their fur is like their fingerprint, no two specimens are the same in the world.
Zebra Characteristics
genus equus
Zebras are mammals that belong to the same family as horses and donkeys, that is, equidae. The legs with a single toe covered with a hoof are perhaps the characteristic that most distinguishes them. However, one of the characteristics of the zebra that most distinguishes it from the previous ones is its pattern on its coat that neither horses nor donkeys have.
three species
Although they are known as a common group, these equids are in turn made up of three species of zebras:
Mountain zebra (Equus zebra)
Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)
Common zebra (Equus quagga)
Each of these species has its own general pattern of stripe distribution on the coat, although as we already mentioned, each one is unique in its kind.
Distribution
Zebras were formerly distributed throughout the African continent, however, they became extinct in the northern part. Now it is only possible to observe them in the southern tip of Africa, it is the only place in the world where they can be seen in their natural habitat.
Contrary to what one might think, the savannahs of Africa are not its only ecosystem, they also live within the desert.
White with black stripes or black with white stripes?
Among the characteristics of the zebra, there is one in particular that generates great questioning. But, the biggest mystery about zebras has been revealed: they are black animals with white stripes and not the other way around.
Camouflage
The reason for its striped patterns is not yet clear, but experts believe it could have a camouflage function. Their striped fur can make it difficult for predators to focus on a single individual in a rushing herd. It is also believed that these could distort the distance at dawn and dusk.
Name marked on the skin
But the most poignant theory of all that has been put forward regarding their coats is that the patterns are a way they can recognize each other. As if they had their name marked on their skin.
Denture designed for grazing
As expected, the evolution of its morphology responds to its distribution and the food available. Zebras are herbivores, so their teeth are completely designed to feed on grasses. They have a total of forty teeth, among which are twelve incisors for tearing out pieces of vegetation. They also have four canines (fangs), twelve premolars and twelve molars.
How much?
They tend to be not so tall, generally measuring 1.3 meters high, 2.3 meters long and weighing about 350 kilograms. With the exception of Grevy zebras, which can weigh up to 450 kilograms.
Longevity
The average life expectancy of a zebra is approximately thirty years in captivity, thanks to the fact that they are not exposed to constant danger from predators. However, in the wild the average longevity is about twelve years of age.
Gestation
Zebra mares can bring a foal into the world every 12 months, which is the amount of time their gestation lasts.
They live in a pack
Zebras must be alert at all times of predators, that is why they live in a herd and have many eyes watching. If one of the members of the herd is injured, the herd comes to its defense by surrounding the injured zebra and trying to scare away the predators.
Night vision
The position of their eyes on the sides of the head favors a large field of vision that allows them to be alert to predators. In addition, they have excellent vision, in fact it is believed that they can see in colors and have night vision. The latter perhaps not as advanced as that of most of its predators.
Great listens
As is natural in an animal that lives surrounded by its main predator; the lion, the sense of hearing is synonymous with survival. They have larger and more rounded ears than horses, and an extremely acute sense of hearing. In addition, their ears are an indicator to communicate their mood.
They sleep standing up
During the day, zebras never lie down on the ground, but sleep standing up just like horses. They only use the resource of lying down when they have other animals around them that warn them about the presence of predators.
Impossible to tame
Like horses, attempts have been made to domesticate them for centuries. But the nature of zebras obeys the wildness of the savanna and domesticating them has until now proven to be an impossible task to accomplish.