Animals
Class: Mammal
Biome:
Conservation Status: Least Concern
About this animal
The zebra, a close relation of the horse, is a social and nomadic animal that grazes on the grasslands and savannas of East Africa. Zebras are equids, members of the horse family. They have excellent hearing and eyesight and can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour). They also have a powerful kick that can cause serious injury to predators such as lions, hyenas, or African wild dogs. Usually, the lead male of the herd called a stallion, stays at the back of the group to defend against predators if necessary, while the mares (females) and foals (youngsters) run from danger. The mature stallion defends his herd by biting and scratching. Newborn foals are able to run within an hour of birth and have brown and white stripes. Zebra mothers will keep a newborn foal separate from the herd for a period of time long enough for the calf to imprint its mother’s stripes (which are unique to her), smell, and call. Grant's zebras are the most abundant and widespread of any zebra species or sub-species.
Did you know?
Zebras and horses have been crossbred to create a zorse. They are used for trekking in Mount Kenya.
