# Zebra (*Equus zebra*) Zebras are striped horses that live in herds. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Grasslands and savannas of Africa. ![Zebra](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426530/objects/4398.jpg) ## Appearance The Zebra has a distinctive coat of black and white stripes covering its entire body, making each individual unique like a fingerprint. Its robust, horse-like build is topped with an upright mane and a tufted tail, setting it apart from other large grazers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - A group of zebras is called a 'dazzle'! - They communicate using loud braying and snorting sounds. - Zebras are related to horses but cannot be fully tamed. - Zebras sleep standing up, but only in safe herds with others. ## Special abilities - **Stripe Shield:** Zebra has bold stripes that create optical illusions, confusing predators about their numbers and direction. - **Super Sense:** Zebra can swivel their ears in almost any direction to pinpoint sounds, helping them detect danger far away. - **Kick Power:** Zebra can deliver a powerful kick strong enough to injure or deter predators, helping them defend themselves. - **Social Watch:** Zebra can graze peacefully in mixed herds, relying on more eyes and ears to spot lurking predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 220-260 cm - **Weight:** 200-450 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 360-390 days ## Diet & Feeding Zebras are herbivores that munch on tough grasses, keeping the savanna tidy. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, shoots, bark, roots - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions often hunt zebras, especially the young, old, or weak. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas, alone or in clans, also prey on zebras and scavenge kills. - **Symbiotic with:** [Wildebeest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wildebeest) (*Connochaetes taurinus*) — Zebras and wildebeest often graze together, sharing vigilance against predators. - **Eats:** Red Oat Grass (*Themeda triandra*) — Zebras primarily graze on various grass species, including this common one. - **Eats:** Umbrella Thorn Acacia (*Vachellia tortilis*) — They also browse on the leaves and pods of some acacia trees. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Wild zebras can kick and bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 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 Zebra? 220-260 cm ### How much does Zebra weigh? 200-450 kg ### How long does Zebra live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Zebra move? 65 km/h ### What does Zebra eat? Zebras are herbivores that munch on tough grasses, keeping the savanna tidy. ### Where is Zebra usually found? Grasslands and savannas of Africa. ### How does Zebra hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Brevard Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brevard-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Long Island Game Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-game-farm) — New York, US · Zoo - [Lupa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lupa-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [National Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-zoological-park) — District of Columbia, US · Zoo [View all places to see Zebra](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/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: [Zebra: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zebra)