The Habitat Area for a Zebra

Zebras are equids and have teeth made for chopping and grinding grass. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, there are three types of zebra species alive today. These are the mountain zebra, Grevy's zebra and the plains zebra. The mountain zebra is a native of southern and southwestern Africa, whereas the plains and the Grevy are both native to East Africa.

  1. Behavior

    • Zebras cannot migrate too far from water holes.

      In the dry season, plains zebras lead a mass migration across the Serengeti. They travel through a variety of habitats, including savannas, short grasslands, tall grasslands and open woodland. Their migration patterns ensure that they are always a reasonable distance away from water holes.

    Features

    • Plains zebras can vary greatly in terms of stripe pattern

      Each species of zebra can be distinguished by their differing appearances. Grevy’s zebras are the largest species and have narrow black stripes across their bodies; they have more resemblance to an ass than a horse. The mountain zebra is the smallest species and has a white belly. The most common type of zebra is the plains zebra. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the plains zebra is "built like a stocky pony" and its coat pattern varies in "number and width of stripes."

    Habitat

    • Mountain zebras inhabit mountainous terrain.

      Plains zebras inhabit savannas, including open grasslands and woodlands. Grevy's zebras live in certain parts of northern Kenya. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, they are adapted to "semi-arid conditions" and "require less water than other zebra species." However, they compete with domestic livestock for water and have suffered heavy poaching for their meat and skins. Mountain zebras inhabit mountainous terrain in the south and southwest of Africa.

    History

    • During the Pleistocene period, most of the horse family became extinct; only Equus survived, giving rise to all of the modern horses. Horses and zebras are closely related.

    Fun Fact

    • Baby zebras can run just one hour after they are born

      According to the San Diego Zoo, zebras can walk "just 20 minutes after they are born, and can run after an hour."