When is International Zebra Day?
- International Zebra Day is on the 29th January. It is our favourite day of the year!
How old do Zebras live to?
- Zebras have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years in the wild but have been recorded as living up to 40 years in captivity.
How many different species of Zebra are there?
- There are three species of Zebra that are still living today. They are:
- Plains Zebra (Burchell’s Zebra) – Equus quagga
- Mountain Zebra – Equus zebra
- Grévy’s zebra – Equus grevyi
How do you separate the sexes?
- This is not an easy task. The genitals of the male are normally not visible so you can’t use that to identify them unless they are feeling frisky. Males do have thicker, stronger necks but this not easy to determine. The last method is to look at the dark stripe between their buttocks. It is more broad and longer in females.
How many foals do they have at a time?
- All three species of Zebra normally have only one foal. Reports of twins are very rare. One source indicated that if twins are born then they are of opposite sex to each other.
Are Zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
- Zebras have black skin but their coats are more white than black. This is particularly true on the belly and legs. So, ignoring their black skin, they are white with black stripes.
What are their main predators?
- The main predators of Zebras are Lions and Hyenas. In Kruger National Park, in South Africa, it was found that Lions often preyed on the stallions of family groups or older males. The stallion tries to protect the herd from danger by remaining between the herd and the predator which is why they often end up being taken. To a much lesser extent Zebras are also preyed on by Leopards, Crocodiles, Wild Dogs and Cheetahs. Species such as Cheetah are more likely to target the foals.
What do Zebras eat?
- Zebras mainly eat grass. They are known for preferring longer grass and don’t normally eat it when it is too short. This opens up the grassland to species like the Blue Wildebeest who prefer eating shorter grass. This explains why these two animals are often seen in close proximity. Zebras do also browse some foliage and may also dig up rhizomes and corms.
How can I get involved in this project?
- There are two main ways that you can get involved in this project. Firstly, you can donate money. Secondly, you can send your Zebras photos in so that they can be added to the database. Both contributions are appreciated and will help make this project a success. Please go to the “How you can help” page for more information.
I would like to donate to this project. How do I do it?
- All donations, big or small, are appreciated and will help move this project forward. The “How you can help” page provides more information.
Where are Zebras found?
- Zebras are only found in the wild in Africa. They can be found in the following countries: Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Eswatini.
Are Zebras endangered?
- The three different species have different levels of risk. The Plains Zebra is most abundant but its population is on the decline through habitat loss and poaching. Numbers of Grevy’s Zebras are low and definitely are at risk. The Mountain Zebra was the most threatened species but is on the rebound with populations on the increase in South Africa and Namibia. Go to the African Wildlife Foundation to read a great article on Zebras.