Interesting Facts About Zebras

Zebras are strikingly beautiful animals. Although their intriguing pattern of stripes are nature's way of camouflaging the animals and helping to confuse predators they also add to the animals mesmerizing appearance. Zebras are members of the horse family. To learn more interesting facts about zebras read this informative article.

There are three main species of zebra. They are the Plains Zebra, the Mountain Zebra and Grevy's Zebra. The Plains Zebra is also known as the common zebra.

Grevy's Zebras are thought to be the oldest type of zebra. They are also the biggest.

Every zebra has a unique pattern of stripes.

Grevy's Zebras are endangered due to poachers and loss of habitat.

Zebras have excellent eyesight, hearing and a keen sense of smell. It is believed that zebras see in color.

Zebras are smaller than a horse. They have a short mane and large ears.

Like horses a male zebra is called a stallion. A female zebra is referred to as a mare.

Zebras will kick and bite when attacked. A kick from a zebra can be fatal.

Zebras sleep standing up. They will only sleep when neighbors are around to warn them of predators. If there are no neighbors present in the area one member of the zebra family will remain awake to stand watch while the others sleep.

Zebras are capable of running up to 40 miles per hour.

Zebras communicate with each other through a high-pitched barking vocalization. Zebras make a whinny sound similar to a donkey.

The average lifespan of zebras are 20 to 30 years in the wild although they may live up to 40 years in captivity.

The Quagga Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra is now extinct.

Zebras feed mainly on grasses but also eat shrubs, twigs, leaves and bark. They are quite dependent on water and need to drink daily.

Female zebras can produce one foal per year. A single young weighing 65 to 75 pounds is born after a gestation period of one year.

The Mountain Zebra is the smallest species of zebra.

Zebra foals are born brown and white instead of black and white.

The different species of zebras do not interbreed.

The Mountain Zebra is currently protected is national parks but remains listed as endangered.

Zebra species are differentiated by their stripes as well as other bodily characteristics.

Newborn zebras can run an hour after they are born.

Zebras eat during the early and late periods of the day resting during the midday heat.

Sources:

www.thejunglestore.com

www.learninghaven.com

www.wikipedia.org