Zebra Behavior

There are three types of Zebra found in the African Subcontinent. Plains or Burchell's zebras, Grevy's zebras and Mountain zebras are all separate species and show different characteristics and behavior. Grevy's zebras are the easiest to train and domesticate.

  1. Plains or Burchell's Zebras

    • Male Plains zebras bite each other's neck and legs to establish dominance.

      Plains zebras, also called the Common zebra, are the most numerous with around 750,000 migrating between Tanzania and Kenya, according to Defenders of Wildlife. Males lead a small family group, or a harem of five or six females, which are created when a male tempts a female from another harem. Young bachelor males form herds until they leave to start their own harem. Males may challenge each other for control of a harem and often fight by making chewing movements and biting of necks, ears and legs, though bachelors are generally passive towards each other. Plains zebras bark to communicate.

    Grevy's Zebras

    • The largest species of zebra, Grevy's zebras are also the rarest with the Kenya Wildlife Service reporting only 2,623 in Northern Kenya in 2008. Congregating in sometimes huge, open herds, Grevy's are territorial, with males--who don't have a harem of females--marking their territory often. Males challenge each other for territorial dominance by biting, kicking, wrestling and braying loudly. They attempt to mate with females that trot into their patch.

    Mountain Zebras

    • There are less than 700 Mountain zebras left in thre wild

      Mainly located in South Africa and Namibia, Mountain zebras are rare with fewer than 700 reported in 2010 by Defenders of Wildlife. Non-territorial and with small herds, behavior is similar to the Plains zebra, though Mountain zebras are excellent climbers.