Zebras (lat. Hippotigris) are combined into one subgenus, which belongs to the genus of Horses (Equus) and the family of Horses (lat. Equidae). These animals have common features with horses and donkeys, have a characteristic striped color. The Latin name of these equidistant mammals means “tiger horse”, which very correctly describes their appearance. To date, there are three types of zebras: the Burchell zebra (Equus quagga), Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) and mountain zebra (Equus zebra), all of which are distributed exclusively in Africa.
Coloring
The peculiar coloring of zebras is determined by adaptation to life in the African savannah. The white-black strip provides masking from annoying insects that carry various diseases, bother and interfere with the normal functioning of animals. The tsetse flies and flies see continuous ripples instead of zebras, not perceiving them as their prey.
In addition, when animals run away at a gallop from predators, they completely merge with the arid savannah and among themselves into a monotonous dark mass, discouraging the beast. When zebras graze in the daytime, their striped color is lost in the vegetation between light and shadow spots, and the specific location of the stripes does not allow predators to determine the contour of the animal. In the daytime, it is difficult to distinguish between artiodactyls from a distance of 200-300 m, and at night they are not visible at a distance of up to 40 m.
Contrary to what most people think, zebras have white stripes against a dark background. At birth, the cubs are dark in color, and over time, in specific places (genetically determined), the cover loses pigmentation, which gives the appearance of striping. Each zebra has a unique pattern, this sign is akin to fingerprints in humans. These animals easily recognize each other, and even the cubs follow their mother, focusing on individual coloring.
Common external symptoms
The body of an adult zebra is 2-3 m long and weighs up to 350 kg. Their height at the withers is 120-150 cm. The length of the tail reaches 45-60 cm. Outwardly, all zebras resemble a mixture of a donkey and a horse. They have relatively short and powerful limbs compared to horses. Their head is large and heavy, and their neck is short and thick. The mane of zebras is short and grows vertically upward, there are no bangs. Tail with a brush resembles a donkey. The ears are long and large. Zebras make sounds resembling a short cry of a donkey.
In captivity, zebras can mate with domestic horses, donkeys or ponies. Such a hybrid form is called a zebroid. Usually, a male zebra and a female of another artiodactyl species participate in the process. Such hybrids are similar in appearance to their mother but have paternal stripes that usually appear on the legs, neck, and partially on the body. They are bred as mount and pack animals. They have advantages over horses because they are not stung by the tsetse fly due to their color. Unlike zebras, they lend themselves to training, but they still retain their father's freedom-loving character. Zebroids are not able to reproduce.
Species features
Separation into species is carried out on the basis of differences in the color of zebras. It should be noted that zebras are closely related to each other in the same way as with any other representatives of the Horses genus.
The most numerous species is the Burchell zebra or savannah. They are more stocky and lower compared to other species. They have a thick and short neck. Special coloring allows you to divide them into 6 more subspecies. Northern subspecies have clear stripes that evenly cover the entire body. In the south, the stripes are wider with light brown veins and can be eroded on the extremities. Savannah zebras migrate more than other species and are the first to appear on fresh pastures. They like to gather in large herds.
Grevy’s zebras are also called desert. They are taller and slimmer than the rest. They have a beautiful and graceful face, resembling the face of thoroughbred domestic horses. Their stripes are thin and frequent. Along the entire body along the spine have a characteristic strip. The mane of desert zebras is slightly longer than that of other species and has a protruding appearance. Gather in small herds.
Mountain zebras have two subspecies - Cape and Hartman. Their black stripes are wide and white narrower than other zebra species. The stripes reach the hooves, and on the croup, there is a pattern in the form of a lattice. They have a characteristic bulge on the neck - "chest". They are the most resistant to drought, can only drink once a day. Herds include up to 10 individuals.
Spread
Savannah zebras inhabit the national parks and reserves of South and East Africa. They are the most numerous species.
Grevy’s protected zebra is common in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. They live in nature reserves.
Mountain zebras occupy a very limited range - the mountain plateaus of Namibia and South Africa at an altitude above 2000 m.
One type of zebra was completely exterminated by European colonists - the quagga zebra. Grevy’s zebra, like mountain zebras, is endangered.