Zebras (members of the horse family), are native to central and southern Africa. They are black with white vertical stripesGould, S. J. (1983) Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes: Further Reflections in Natural History. New York: W. W. Norton and Company.

In particular refer to Chapter 29: How the Zebra Gets Its Stripes. One of the strongest pieces of evidence for black with white stripes, rather than white with black stripes comes from abnormal zebras where the 'stripes' form as dots and blotches rather than lines. These appear as white blotches on a black background, which is only understandable if it is normally a black animal with white stripes. An interesting picture of this phenomenon can be found here.

on the head, neck, forequarters, and main body, usually with horizontal stripes at the rear and on the legs of the animal. The zebra crossing is named after the zebra's white on black striping.

Originally, most zoologists assumed that the stripes acted as a camouflage mechanism, while others believed them to play a role in social interactions, with slight variations of the pattern allowing the animals to distinguish between individuals. A more recent theory, supported by experiment, posits that the disruptive coloration is an effective means of confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.

A zebra can travel at a top speed of fifty-five kilometres per hour, slower than a horse. However, it has much greater stamina. During the course of a day the plains zebra can walk around forty kilometres (from its herd, and back again in the evening)

Species

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There are four extant species, as well as several subspecies. Zebra populations vary a great deal, and the relationships between and the taxonomic status of several of the subspecies are unclear.

The Plains Zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchelli) is the most common, and has or had about five subspecies distributed across much of southern and eastern Africa. It, or particular subspecies of it, have also been known as the Common Zebra, the Dauw, Burchell's Zebra (actually the subspecies Equus quagga burchelli), and the Quagga (another, extinct, subspecies, Equus quagga quagga).

The Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra) of southwest Africa tends to have a sleek coat with a white belly and narrower stripes than the Plains Zebra. It has two subspecies and is classified as endangered.

Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest type, with an erect mane, and a long, narrow head making it appear rather mule-like. It is an inhabitant of the semi-arid grasslands of Ethiopia, Somalia, and northern Kenya. The Grevy's Zebra is one of the rarest species of zebra around today, and is classified as endangered.

Zebra classification

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• Plains Zebra, Equus quagga
  • Quagga, Equus quagga quagga (extinct)
  • Burchell's Zebra, Equus quagga burchellii
  • Grant's Zebra, Equus quagga boehmi
  • Selous' zebra, Equus quagga borensis
  • Chapman's Zebra, Equus quagga chapmani
  • Crawshay's Zebra, Equus quagga crawshayi
• Cape Mountain Zebra, Equus zebra
• Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, Equus hartmannae
• Grevy's Zebra, Equus grevyi

For the remaining species of the genus and family see Equidae.

References

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External links

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• PBS Nature: Horse Tigers (Zebras)
• Zebra Pictures, Rare Illustrations, and Fun Facts

Equids | Wildlife of Africa

Sebra | حمار وحشي | Зебра | জেবরা | Zebra | Zebra | Zebra | Zebro | Cebra | Seeprat | Zèbre | Asal stiallach | זברה | Zebro | Zebra | シマウマ | Zebra | Kuda Belang | Zebra | Sebra | Sebra | Zebra | Zebra | Зебра | Zebra | Zebra | Зебра | Sebror | Zebra | 斑馬