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National Geographic- Plains Zebras (Article)

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National Geographic- Plains Zebras (Article)

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Common Name:

Plains zebras

Scientific Name:

Equus quagga

Average Life Span In The Wild:

25 years

Size:

Height at the shoulder: 3.5 to 5 feet

Weight:

440 to 990 pounds

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra. Each animal's stripes are as unique as fingerprints-no two are exactly alike-although each of the three species has its own general pattern.

Zebra Stripes

Why do zebras have stripes at all? Scientists aren't sure, but many theories center on their utility as some form of camouflage. The patterns may make it difficult for predators to identify a single animal from a running herd and distort distance at dawn and dusk. Or they may dissuade insects that recognize only large areas of single-colored fur or act as a kind of natural sunscreen. Because of their uniqueness, stripes may also help zebras recognize one another.

Population and Herd Behavior

Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another.

Plains zebras are the most common species. They live in small family groups consisting of a male (stallion), several females, and their young. These units may combine with others to form awe-inspiring herds thousands of head strong, but family members will remain close within the herd.

Zebras must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its family will come to its defense, circling the wounded zebra and attempting to drive off predators.

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Common Name: Plains zebras Scientific Name: Equus quagga Average Life Span In The Wild: 25 years Size: Height at the shoulder: 3.5 to 5 feet Weight: 440 to 990 pounds Size relative to a 6-ft man: No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra.

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National Geographic-  Zebra facts for kids (Article)

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National Geographic-  Zebra facts for kids (Article)

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We're off to Africa to meet one of nature's coolest looking creatures. Check out our ten top zebra facts!

Fast zebra facts

Phylum: Chordata
Family name: Equidae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Plains zebra: Least Concern. Grevy's zebra: Endangered. Mountain zebra: Vulnerable
Lifespan (in wild): 25 years
Weight: 200-450 kg
Body length: 2.2-2.5m
Top speed: 65km/h
Diet: Herbivore
Habitat: Grassland
Range:

1) Our planet is home to three different species of zebra, the plains zebra, Grevy's zebra and mountain zebra, all three species are native to Africa.

2) The most common species is the plains zebra, which roams grasslands and woodland of eastern and southern Africa. The Grevy's zebra can be found in dry, semi-desert areas of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the mountain zebra lives in mountainous and hilly habitats in Namibia, Angola and South Africa.

3) Closely related to horses, zebras have thick bodies, thin legs, a tufted tail, and a long head and neck sporting a short mane. And their most famous feature? Their brilliant black-and-white striped coat, of course!

4) So why do zebras have stripes? Well, scientists aren't entirely sure. Their stripes perhaps serve to dazzle and confuse predators and biting insects, or to control the animal's body heat. Because each individual's stripes are unique, their stripes may also have a social purpose, helping zebras to recognise one other.

5) These cool creatures are herbivores and spend most of their day eating grass, and sometimes leaves, shrubs twigs and bark, too. Their teeth are well adapted for grazing, with sharp incisors at the front of their mouth to bite the grass, and large molars at the back for crushing and grinding.

6) Zebras are constantly on the move for fresh grass to eat and water to drink. Super stealthy creatures, they'll travel thousands of kilometres in search of green pastures where they can fill their bellies and quench their thirst!

7) Zebras are social animals and live together in large groups, called herds. As they migrate to new feeding grounds, 'super herds' may form consisting of thousands of individuals. They may team up with other grazers on their travels, too, such as antelope and wildebeest.

8) Within a herd, zebras tend to stay together in smaller family groups, made up of a dominant male, several females (called 'mares') and their young (called 'foals'). When they are between one and three years old, males (or 'stallions') leave to join 'bachelor herds' (all-male groups), where they stay until they're old enough and strong enough to compete for females.

9) As elegant and peaceful as they are, don't be fooled - zebras can be aggressive animals, too! Stallions fight for females with piercing bites and powerful kicks that are strong enough to cause serious damage - and sometimes even kill!

10) Their fierce fighting skills and strong social bonds help to protect zebras from predators, which include , , and cheetahs. When under threat, these awesome animals form a semi-circle facing the attacker, and prepare to strike if need be. And if one of the group is wounded or injured, other zebras will circle around and attempt to drive off the hungry attacker. All for one and one for all!

Credits - Close up of zebra: Medford Taylor. Zebra herd: Chris Johns. Zebra mother and foal: Beverly Joubert. Close up of zebra tail: Joel Sartore.

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Zebra facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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We're off to Africa to meet one of nature's coolest looking creatures. Check out our ten top zebra facts! Phylum: Chordata Family name: Equidae Classification: Mammal IUCN status: Plains zebra: Least Concern. Grevy's zebra: Endangered.

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Learn all about zebras in this informational picture book.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

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A look at zebras, including their habitats, physical characteristics such as their humps, behaviors and relationships with humans.

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Instantly access 40,000 high-quality books for kids

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National Geographic  A Group of Zebras (Article)

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National Geographic  A Group of Zebras (Article)

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Zebras stick together in herds. Within a herd, zebras tend to stay together in smaller family groups. Families are generally made up of a male, several females, and their young.

As a zebra grazes, it uses its sharper front teeth to bite the grass, and then uses its duller back teeth to crush and grind. A zebra's teeth keep growing for its entire life, because constant grazing and chewing wears them down.

Zebras are constantly on the move to find fresh grass and water. Sometimes they gather in huge herds of thousands as they migrate to better feeding grounds. They often travel in mixed herds with other grazers and browsers, such as wildebeest.

Zebras groom one another. If you see two zebras standing close to each other and it looks like they're biting each other, don't worry. They're pulling loose hairs off each other as they groom. Grooming also feels good to a zebra-it's like having an itch scratched.

While most zebras are least endangered, Grevy's zebra is classified as endangered.

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Each zebra has its own unique pattern of distinctive stripes, just as humans have their own unique pattern of fingerprints. Zebras stick together in herds. Within a herd, zebras tend to stay together in smaller family groups. Families are generally made up of a male, several females, and their young.