The Zebra – Where They Roam And How They Survive

by on 2009/10/31

African mammals from the horse family, zebras owe their world fame for the black and white stripes on their bodies that represent the very label of their individuality. The African landscape remains unique thanks to these magnificent animals that remain an attraction point for any tourist to Africa. Click through here for extra info on lion tattoo designs .

Zebras are classified in three distinct categories: Grevy zebras, mountain zebras and plain zebras, each group with distinct features and behaviors. Imperial or Grevy zebras share wide areas in the lands of Kenya with their plain zebras kin; they are the most similar to their horse relatives unlike the mountain subspecies that resembles asses most. Though living only in Africa, zebras have adapted to a very wide range of habitats from savannas and grasslands to mountains, hills and woodlands. Presently, the number of zebras roaming in the wild is definitely smaller than a century ago since the development of human civilization has had its impact on the zebra population, not to mention that for quite a while they were abusively hunted for their skins. You will acquire additional information about lion tatoos here.

The striped patters that zebras are famous for, represent an ID mark of each individual as the specimens recognize each other visually. Moreover, the stripes have a very important camouflage function against predators like lions. The stripes look just like waving grass particularly when the zebras are gathered in a herd and lions have great difficulty spotting them because of their monochromatic view. Eyesight is a good point for zebras, not to mention that scientists believe that they are able to distinguish colors. Moreover, if we count night vision and good hearing too, we realize how well endowed zebras are for survival. Danger can be more easily detected with the ability to move ears in all directions, and last but not least, unlike many other mammals the smell and taste are truly remarkable as well.

As for food preferences, zebras are very adaptable grazers feeding on twigs, trees, leaves and bark. Another anatomical advantage is the capacity of the zebras to live on small amounts of nutrients, which means that any grass is good as long as it is not toxic. You can acquire stacks of extra invaluable information about lion tatoos here.

When it comes to mating habits, there are specificities to each zebras subspecies, as some live in harems consisting of mares guarded by a stallion, whereas others get in groups for a few months every year to mate and then resume a more solitary life. The mating cycle takes place once a year for females ending with the birth of a single foal.


Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: