Zebras

Zebras

By Kathleen Varberg

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What are Zebras?

Zebras are mammals. Just like humans, zebras give birth to live babies that look the same as their mothers and fathers. They are part of the equid  (e-QUID) family, just like horses and donkeys. 

Zebras are social animals, which means they like to be around other animals. 

Herd Animals

Zebras are herd animals, like goats, sheep, and cattle. They live, eat, and travel in groups. Staying with the herd provides protection for the zebras. It is harder for a predator to catch one zebra when it is in a large group of other zebras. Having many zebras in the herd also means that there are many eyes keeping watch for predators, such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. 

Sometimes a herd will join another "super herd," and thousands of zebras may travel together in search of new places to graze. Zebra herds may also pick up other animals as they travel, like wildebeest and antelope. 

Where Do Zebras Live?

There are three main types of zebras, and all of them live in Africa. Africa is a continent that has many different kinds of habitats.

Mountain zebras live where it is rocky and hilly. They are found in the countries of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa.

Grevys (GRAY-veez) zebras live in dry, desert areas in the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia. They do not need as much water as the plains zebras, which allows them to survive in a dry climate.  

Plains zebras live in grassy areas called savannas. They are mostly in the eastern and southern parts of Africa. Plains zebras are the most common type of zebra.

Grazing Herds

The plains zebra is a grazing animal, which means its herd moves often from one grassland to another. Once a grassland has been picked over and there are no longer any grasses, leaves, or stems for the zebras to eat, they travel to find a new place to graze. This can cause zebras to travel hundreds of miles in search of good grazing land. 

What Do Zebras Eat?

Zebras are herbivores. They eat plants, like grasses, leaves, and stems. They will also sometimes eat twigs and shrubs.

Zebras also drink water. Plains zebras drink more water than Grevys zebras because they have access to more water in the savanna. Grevys zebras' bodies have adapted so that they can be healthy with less water, since they live in dry, desert lands.

Growing Teeth

Humans grow baby teeth that fall out when we are young. In their place grow our adult teeth. Our adult teeth stop growing once the tops have pushed out through our gums. Zebra teeth work differently. Zebras' teeth keep growing their whole lives.

Why don't we see zebras with fangs like snakes or tusks like elephants? Zebras grind their teeth when they eat, which keeps them from ever getting too big. As zebras chew their plant food, they rub their teeth back and forth to mash the food down until it is ready to swallow. This rubbing of the teeth causes them to wear down.

Zebra teeth are similar to human teeth in some ways. Humans have sharp teeth in the front for biting meat and flat teeth in the back for grinding other food, like vegetables. Zebras have some sharp teeth for biting off twigs or shrubs, but they have lots of flat teeth in the back of their mouths. 

Why Do Zebras Have Stripes?

Scientists do not actually know for sure why zebras have stripes. Perhaps it helps them blend in with the tall grasses. Maybe it is because when zebras are with their herd, the stripes make it difficult for predators to find just one zebra body to attack. 

Another thought is that the stripes keep dangerous flies from wanting to land on the zebras’ bodies. What scientists do know is that all zebras have different stripe patterns. Just like human fingerprints, no two zebras have the same stripes.

Do Zebras Take Baths?

You take baths or showers in water with soap. Zebras take baths too, but not the way we do. Zebras roll around in dry dirt in order to get the bugs and dead skin off of their bodies. The herd will also help pick pesky bugs off of each other to keep them clean and healthy.

How Do Zebras Communicate?

Bark

When you think of an animal that barks you probably think of dogs. However, zebras also bark to communicate with each other. Even though zebras are bigger than most dogs, zebra barks sound like those of small dogs. Their bark is “yippy.” Click here to hear what a zebra bark sounds like. 

Bray

Zebras have another call, called a bray. This call is a low growl that ends with a squeak, like a pig. Zebras use this call when they are angry or trying to impress a mate. 

How are Humans Affecting Zebras?

Hunting

Humans like to hunt zebras for their beautiful coats and their meat. This has caused some zebras, like the Grevys zebra, to become endangered. This means they are at risk for becoming extinct – there would be no more zebras left on the planet. 

Farming

Zebras' habitats are being destroyed to make room for farms and buildings. As people move further into wild areas, they are taking away zebras' food sources and spaces to roam. Zebras need lots of grassy spaces to eat and live. When farmers move into wild spaces to make their own farms with their own livestock, it forces zebras to keep traveling for food. If farmers continue to spread out into zebras' habitats, there will not be enough grassland for the zebras to find new food. 

Where Can I Find More Information About Zebras?

Ranger Rick- Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? by Gerry Bishop

Nat Geo Kids- Zebra Facts

San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants