# Plains Zebra (*Equus quagga*) Plains zebras are beautiful animals known for their black and white stripes. They live in groups called herds and love to roam the grasslands of Africa. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Common Zebra ![Plains Zebra](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plains_Zebra_Equus_quagga.jpg&width=800) Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plains_Zebra_Equus_quagga.jpg) ## Appearance The Plains Zebra has distinctive black and white stripes that cover its entire body, including its belly. Unlike some other zebra species, its stripes are broader and often feature faint 'shadow' stripes between the main dark bands, appearing brownish-yellow. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - Baby zebras, called foals, can stand and even run within an hour of being born! - Despite their black and white fur, a zebra's skin underneath is actually dark grey to black. - When a zebra sleeps, it often stands up, especially if it feels unsafe or is part of a large herd. - Zebras communicate using a variety of sounds, including barks, snorts, and whinnies, just like horses. ## Special abilities - **Stripe Camouflage:** Plains Zebras have unique stripe patterns that help them confuse predators, making it hard to single out an individual in a running herd. - **Powerful Kick:** Plains Zebras can deliver a very strong kick with their hind legs, which helps them defend against lions and other large predators. - **Group Defense:** Plains Zebras are social animals that live in herds, which helps them detect danger earlier and collectively deter attackers. - **Excellent Senses:** Plains Zebras have keen eyesight and hearing, which allows them to spot and hear predators from a distance, keeping them safe. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 220-260 cm - **Weight:** 250-380 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 360-390 days ## Diet & Feeding These striped grazers primarily munch on various grasses to fuel their energy throughout the day. - **Primary Foods:** Themeda triandra, Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum clandestinum, Various wild grasses, Shoots - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — A primary predator of adult and young zebras. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Often hunts zebras, especially the weak or young. - **Symbiotic with:** Red-billed Oxpecker (*Buphagus erythrorhynchus*) — Eats ticks and parasites from zebra's skin. - **Shelter:** Gum Arabic Tree (*Acacia nilotica*) — Provides essential shade during hot African days. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch zebras from a safe distance and never try to touch them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Plains Zebra? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Plains Zebra? 220-260 cm ### How much does Plains Zebra weigh? 250-380 kg ### How long does Plains Zebra live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Plains Zebra move? 65 km/h ### What does Plains Zebra eat? These striped grazers primarily munch on various grasses to fuel their energy throughout the day. ### Where is Plains Zebra usually found? Grasslands ### How does Plains Zebra hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Milwaukee County Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/milwaukee-county-zoo) — Wisconsin, US · Zoo - [The Maryland Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-maryland-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo - [Zoo Atlanta](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-atlanta) — Georgia, US · Zoo - [Dallas Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dallas-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Naples Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naples-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Seneca Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seneca-park-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo [View all places to see Plains Zebra](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plains-zebra) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Plains Zebra: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-zebra)