How to Tell Zebras Apart

In an equine mammal indigenous to Africa, the most notable feature of any zebra is the striped coat which is important camouflage defense against predators as well as protection against heat. A few key characteristics define each species of zebra, but identifying one zebra from another within the same species requires more thorough analysis.



At first glance zebras appear identical, but each zebra's stripes are unique like the human fingerprint. There are three main species of zebras, within which there are several sub-species that help distinguish one from another. They are divided on basis of habitat, height, weight and stripe differences. Within those divisions, scientists can tell each zebra apart from another by analyzing scars, stripe patterns and the number and width of the stripes.

Instructions

  1. Tell the look-alikes apart

    • 1

      The plains zebra is the most commonly recognized, and the most widespread, roaming the savannah and woodlands. Plains zebras are divided further into four sub-species including the Grant's and Bohm's zebra, Selous' zebra, Damaraland and Chapman's zebra and Burchell's zebra, the latter being the most common.

    • 2

      Grevy's zebra is easily distinguished from others by the black line running the length of its spine, and they are the only zebra species that is not considered nomadic, according the Zoological Society of San Diego.

    • 3

      The most obvious identifier of a Mountain Zebra is the flap of skin on the throat called a dewlap. Also, their narrow stripes widen toward their rear. The two sub-species of mountain zebra are the Cape Mountain zebra and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. There are less than 5,000 mountain zebras left in their wild habitat of the South African mountains.