Zebra

There are two species of Zebra in Southern Africa, the Plains or Burchell’s Zebra and the Mountain Zebra. As the names suggest they occur in vastly differing habitats, although they are known to occur together in places where plains and mountains overlap.

Interesting facts about zebras in South Africa:

  1. No two Zebra have the same striping, as in fingerprints in humans the stripes of Zebra are unique to an individual.
  2. The Burchell’s Zebra is the national animal of Botswana and is found on the coat of arms of the country.
  3. Zebras are native to Africa and can be found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and woodlands.
  4. There are two species of zebras: plains zebra and mountain zebra.
  5. Zebras are herbivores and their diet consists of grasses, leaves, fruits, and flowers.
  6. Zebras are social animals and live in herds of up to 100 individuals.
  7. Zebras are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas.
  8. Zebras have a lifespan of up to 25 years in the wild.
  9. Zebras are known for their distinctive black and white stripes.
  10. The stripes of zebras are not just for decoration. They help zebras to camouflage themselves from predators and to regulate their body temperature.
  11. Zebras are very vocal animals and communicate with each other using a variety of sounds, including snorts, whinnies, and barks.
  12. Zebras are very agile animals and can run up to 40 miles per hour.
  13. Zebras are an important part of the African ecosystem and play a vital role in the food chain.
  14. Zebras are a popular tourist attraction and can be seen on safaris in South Africa.

 

The Burchell’s Zebra is the most common across the African continent and has been classified into seven sub-species across its range.

As the name indicates Mountain Zebra are found in high lying areas of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and the more arid mountainous regions of Namibia. Smaller than the Burchell’s Zebra, Mountain Zebras are made up of two sub-species: Cape Mountain Zebra and the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra.

Return to the Wild Life page.