Facts on the Grevy's Zebra

The Grevy's Zebra is the largest of the zebra species, and can be found in Northern Kenya, Somalia and Eastern Ethiopia. Its scientific name is Equus Grevyi, and it is the largest of the three zebra species. With their numbers in the wild estimated to be below 2,200, the Grevy's Zebra is currently listed as an endangered animal by the World Conservation Union.

  1. Namesake and History

    • The Grevy's Zebra was named in honor of Jules Grevy, who was president of France's Third Republic from 1879 to 1887 who was given as a pet the first specimens that were discovered by the scientific community. Western interaction with the Grevy's Zebra predates the Grevy namesake by thousands of years however. In ancient Roman times the Grevy's Zebra was frequently featured in the Roman circus under the name "hippotigris" which translates into "horse-tiger." Because of their very large size the Romans would train them to pull large two-wheeled carts for exhibition.

    Appearance

    • The Grevy's Zebra is very large, and can grow up to nine feet long, weight close to a thousand pounds and stand almost five and a half feet tall when measured at the shoulder. Unlike most zebras, which appear horse-like, the Grevy's Zebra is often compared to donkeys and mules because of its big head and large, round ears. They even communicate with loud bray sounds that are similar to the noises donkeys make. Their thick black stripes cover most of their bodies, but stop at their underside and rear.

    Habitat and Behavior

    • The Grevy's zebra is typically found in semi-desert areas and dry savanna country. It survives on a diet of grass, and spends most of its day grazing, although it can apparently survive for days without either food or water if need be. Unlike other species of zebra the Grevy's zebra does not congregate in large herds. They may form small, loose groups with some zebras, but the only strong bond observed in Grevy's zebras are between mares and their foal-which usually leave when they become juveniles. A single male stallion will often claim an entire one to two square mile area for himself. Mating with any mares in his territory and fiercely attacking any other males who try.

    Predators and Defense

    • The Grevy's Zebra is prey to lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs in the wild. Their main line of defense is their stripes. When standing still in grass the stripes help the animal blend in seamlessly into the background. When running in large groups, the stripes create an optical illusion, blurring the animals together so predators are confused and unable to attack.

    Conservation Status

    • Of the three species of zebra, the other two being the plains zebra and mountain zebra, the Grevy's is in the most danger of becoming extinct. Wild populations of the animal have plummeted in recent years. According to the San Diego Zoo there were over 15,000 Grevy's zebras in the wild in 1977; today there are less than 2,200. And in Somalia, where the species once thrived, it is not considered to be entirely extinct. Blame for the animal's dwindling numbers can be placed solely on man. When not being poached for its prized hides, it is losing habitat to increased development in the African grasslands. Groups like the American Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with local African governments, have begun to set up programs to help prevent the Grevy's zebra from becoming extinct.