The Zebra
White with Black Stripes or Black with White Stripes?
Basics
Living roughly twenty to thirty years in the wild, these uniquely patterned mammals thrive only upon the African continent, within the temperate and terrestrial regions, found within the desert/dune biomes, as well as the mountains. Standing at a range of forty-four to fifty-eight inches (at the shoulder), these black skinned grazers (diet consist of usually a variety of grasses, but they occasionally feast upon shrubs, herbs, twigs, leaves and bark) weigh in about three hundred eighty-five to eight hundred forty-seven pounds. Their black and deep brown stripes consume their body, reaching down to their odd-toed hooves.
What's With the Decline?
While the Plains zebra (Equus quagga) is listed as "least concerned," the Grevy's zerba (Equus grevyi) and Mountain zebra (Equus zebra) are jotted down as endangered.
Humans hunt this mammal for sport, as well as for their coat. Us humans will most likely possibly kill the species; we're taking over their habitat. If we continue expanding population of the Homo sapiens, the zebras will be known as an endangered species.
In order to maintain the overall population of Plain zebras (around 750,000), Grevy's zebras (about 2,500), and Mountain zebras (600-700 Cape and 800-1300 Hartmann's), we must reduce hunting to a minimum and contain our population of humans--- or at least provide the wildlife with their remaining habitats and leave their populations alone. So far the species have been given reserves, trans-locating groups, expanding park populations, and even attempts at reducing poaching.
Humans hunt this mammal for sport, as well as for their coat. Us humans will most likely possibly kill the species; we're taking over their habitat. If we continue expanding population of the Homo sapiens, the zebras will be known as an endangered species.
In order to maintain the overall population of Plain zebras (around 750,000), Grevy's zebras (about 2,500), and Mountain zebras (600-700 Cape and 800-1300 Hartmann's), we must reduce hunting to a minimum and contain our population of humans--- or at least provide the wildlife with their remaining habitats and leave their populations alone. So far the species have been given reserves, trans-locating groups, expanding park populations, and even attempts at reducing poaching.
Behavior
Zebras are quite social mammals, they live in a heard throughout their entire existence. Even though most believe head stallions do nothing of the sort with foals, it is occasionally sighted of one grooming another. Between other foals, play is also heard of-- this behavior includes: racing and chasing, play-fighting, grooming, and body rubbing. During the time after a foal or filly is born (on average, zebras produce one offspring per breeding period: 362 day gestation period, breeding every 1-3 years), mares becomes rather aggressive, throwing kicks here and there if one comes too close. Withing the herd, if a predator is spotted, a member will bark or whine to warn the others of danger.