Interesting Information About Zebra

Zebras, with their distinctive striped coat that are as unique as human fingerprints, stand as a real marvel of God’s creation. This social mammal mostly moves in herd, grazing and grooming each other together. Their unique hide, which serves as a camouflage too, helps them identify members of their herd as well as dissuade insects. These watchful animals are always on guard against predators like lions and hyenas, and when attacked, the entire herd flocks to its rescue. It’s quite fascinating to know that no two zebra stripes are similar and they are often classified depending on the uniqueness of these streaks. The shining coat present on the zebra’s body helps them dissipate about 70 percent of the incoming heat. This helps zebras survive the intense solar radiation. The striped body though may seem visible during the daytime, looks indistinct while at night when most of the predators are out in search for their prey. Another interesting thing about zebras is that they require less water and can adjust easily in semi-arid situations. To explore more such fascinating facts on zebras, explore the write-up further.

Fast Facts

Scientific Name: Equus Burchelli
Type: Mammals
Origin: Africa
Diet: Herbivores
Size: 3.5 – 5 feet tall at the shoulder
Weight: 300 – 450 kg
Group Name: Herd, Harems
Lifespan: 20 – 25 years
Habitat: Mostly in grasslands and savannas
Sexual Maturity: 3 – 4 years
Gestation Period: 12– 13 months
Number Offspring: 1 foal per birth

Interesting And Amazing Facts On Zebra

• There are three different species of zebras — Burchell’s Zebra, Grevy’s Zebra and Mountain Zebra. The specie Burchell’s Zebra was named after William John Burchell, who was a British explorer and Grevy’s got its name from a former French President.
• ‘Zebdonk’ is the result of a cross between a Burchell’s Zebra and a donkey.
• Zebras are basically black in color with white stripes on them, although they appear otherwise.
• Unlike horses, zebras cannot be trained or tamed because of their unpredictable behavior.
• A herd of zebras can include thousands of them within which you will again find families, which move together.
• A family of zebra comprises one stallion, few mares and their offspring. They maintain a perfect balance and live together in peace and harmony keeping up the family unity.
• The family members show care and concern for the rest of them. If a predator attacks the family, the stallion tries hard to fight the predator while the rest of the members stick close to each other.
• A powerful kick from the strong, long legs of the zebras could be an effective defense mechanism and can cause some serious injuries to the predators.
• If the predator attacks any animal in the herd, the zebras gather around the wounded one and fight against the predator to drive them away.
• Zebra stripes serve as a great camouflage that protects them against their predators mainly the lion that is colorblind. The colorblind predators confuse these mammals for grass blades.
• Zebras can sleep while standing.
• Usually zebras are very social and at the instance when one of them spots a predator, it signals the rest by either barking loudly or whining in order to warn others.
• The little ones of the zebras are called foals and they are born with brown and white stripes.
• Zebra foals are capable of walking after 20 minutes of their birth and also run after about an hour. This fact is very much important, as it has to keep moving with its family while they are away in search of food and water.
• All the foals maintain a close relation with their mothers. Between the age of 1 and 4 years, the male foals seem to move out and join a bachelor group and develop their skills to lead a family.
• Zebras mainly fear being hunted for skin. The loss of their habitat because of farming and ranching are other big threats of the animal.
• The speed with which a zebra can run is up to 40 miles per hour.
• In ancient times, in Rome the Grevy’s Zebra were commonly known as ‘hippotigris’ and they were trained and used in circuses for pulling carts.