THE ZEBRA

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THE ZEBRA

RAYNELE TRAVENY1QUICK ZEBRA INFORMATIONA member of the horse familyWeight: 500-700 pounds Life expectancy: 10-20 yrsHabitat: treeless grassland, open woodlands, and wetlands

2APPEARANCEThe distinctive stripes of the zebra run diagonally and lengthways on the rump and continue on to the belly.

On the rump there are usually chestnut or yellowish "shadow" stripes in the middle of the white stripes.

Like human fingerprints and irises, each individual has a unique stripe pattern.

3BEHAVIORStallions fight viciously for control of females.

If threatened by predators, herds flee in tight bunches. Herd stallions defend their groups by running in the rear as they flee, kicking and biting attackers.

The contrasting black and white stripes may help to confuse predators.

DIETZebras prefer short, green grass but will eat tall, coarse growth. The zebra is less sensitive to food quality than other large herbivores and can maintain good body condition on very poor food conditions.

4SOUNDS

Zebras communicate with each other with high pitched barks and whinnying.

Other methods of zebra communication include facial expressions and body movements.

5REPRODUCTION

At the moment of birth, a mother zebra keeps any other zebra away from her foal, including the stallion, the other mares and even the previous offspring. Later though they would all bond. Single foals weighing 60-70lbs are born at any time of year after a gestation of 360-390 days. Foals can stand after about 10 minutes, start eating grass within a few days, and wean at 11 months.

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