Welcome to Green Nature

Zebra Facts

picture of a zebra

More Animal Information
Ungulates
Types of Animals

Zebras, the African relatives of wild horses and donkeys, are known for their black and white striped bodies.

Less well known is the fact that three different zebra species live in Africa.

  • Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) inhabits a small areas of Ethiopia and Kenya, and it is considered an endangered species.
  • The Plains Zebra (Equus quagga), inhabits the grasslands over much of East Africa.
  • The Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra) inhabits mountainous areas of South Africa and Namibia.

While zebras are related to horses, their disposition more closely resembles a donkey, and for that reason, they have never been domesticated like horses.

  • A zebra's bad temperament, along with its ability to kick up a storm and run fast, allows it to defend itself against predators, mostly lions and hyenas.
  • The Zebra's average height is five feet at the shoulder and about six feet counting the head.
  • The Zebra's average weight can push one thousand pounds.
  • Scientists are unsure of the reason zebras evolved with stripes, but they think that in a group setting, it might help camouflage one individual zebra against any predator.
  • Zebras can live anywhere from twenty five to forty years in captivity.

    • © 2010 Patricia A. Michaels