(Equus burchellii chapmanni)
Distribution and habitat
It is a species native to Africa, found in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. It inhabits wooded savannas with abundant grass and open plains.
Description
It is a fairly robust animal, smaller in appearance than a horse. Its mane is long and upright, alternating white and black in line with the body stripes. The white background is more yellowish, and its black stripes are fewer. Although the stripes are visible during the day, at dawn and dusk—when predators are most active—they blend in, as on the rump they shift from vertical to horizontal. The stripe pattern is unique to each individual, with the greatest variation in the shoulder area. Zebras have black skin beneath their fur. They have excellent hearing and eyesight. They can reach speeds of up to 56 km/h. Their height varies between 130 and 140 cm, and an adult male can weigh up to 300 kg. Their life expectancy is about 20 years.
Diet
They are herbivores and usually graze on grasses and shrubs, although they can also feed on roots and bark if necessary. They spend about two-thirds of the day grazing.
Behavior
Zebras can be migratory or sedentary, depending on the availability of food. They live in groups of 5 to 20 individuals, consisting of a stallion and several females with their young. They can travel long distances in search of water and pasture, as they need to drink at least once a day. Dominant males, during the mating season, are very fierce and fight other males by kicking and biting to win more females.
Reproduction
Zebras reproduce slowly; gestation lasts 12 months. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 years and males at 3 years. They have a single foal, born weighing around 30 kg.
