Zebra

 

                                                                    PLAINS ZEBRA

Hi everyone, yesterday I forgot to post this so I’m doing it now and if I manage to write Wednesday’s post I will post it this afternoon, if not then tomorrow.

                    AREA'S WHERE ZEBRA'S ARE FOUND

This week we are looking at the zebra, a mammal they are found in various countries across the African continent. Specifically, they inhabit regions within Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. Different zebra species, like Grevy's zebras and Mountain zebras, have more specific ranges within these areas, while Plains zebras are the most widespread. 

They look similar to horses. They stand between 47 and 55 inches (120 and 140 centimetres) tall at the shoulder. Each species of zebra has its own pattern of stripes. The plains zebra has broad stripes that are widely spaced. The stripes of Grevy’s zebra are narrow and closely spaced, and the belly is white. The mountain zebra has a grid like pattern of stripes on the rump.

                        MOUNTAIN ZEBRA

Zebra stripes are like fingerprints. No two zebras are alike. This helps to identify individuals.

They eat mostly tall, rough grasses. Some types also eat shrubs, herbs, and bulbs. Unlike many ungulates in Africa, zebras do not require short grass to graze. Instead, they eat a wide variety of different grasses, sometimes even eating leaves and young trees. As a result, they can range more widely than many other species, often venturing into woodlands. They are considered to be “pioneer grazers” preparing plains for more specialized grazers who rely on short, nutritional grasses.

                        GREVY ZEBRA

Zebras communicate with each other using calls and facial expressions. They often greet each other with nose-to-nose contact. Plains zebras have at least 6 different vocal calls. A two-syllable call is used to alert herd members to predators while snorts indicate happiness. They also use facial expressions to communicate. When greeting each other, they will stick their ears up and push their faces forward. When feeling threatened, they will press their ears against their heads.

Female zebras may have one foal each year. Females and their young usually live in small family groups headed by one male. Thes groups are called “harems.”. Harems generally remain together for months or even years, making it an incredibly stable family unit.

But female Grevy’s zebras may form family groups without head males. Family groups sometimes join together in larger herds. Zebras also may form mixed herds with antelopes.

A male zebra is called a stallion. Female zebras are called mares, and their young are called foals. 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of zebras gather up their young and begin the long journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti plains, north to Kenya. This annual trek to find food and water covers a distance of around 2,900 kilometres (1,800 miles) and exposes them to a myriad of dangers. River crossings leave herds vulnerable to crocodiles, while the size of the migration itself brings lions, hyenas, and wild dogs.