Why are zebras related to horses but not horses?

Zebras are related to horses, but they are not horses themselves. This is because they belong to the same family (Equidae), but are in a different genus.

Here's a breakdown:

* Family: Equidae - This family includes all horses, asses, and zebras.

* Genus:

* *Equus* - This genus includes horses, asses (like donkeys), and the extinct species of *Equus* (like the quagga).

* *Hippotigris* - This genus includes zebras.

So, while they share a common ancestor and are definitely related, zebras and horses are categorized differently at the genus level, making them distinct species.

Here's a simple analogy: Humans and chimpanzees are related (sharing a common ancestor), but they are distinct species because they belong to different genera.

Therefore, while zebras and horses are close relatives, they are not considered the same species.