Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Zebra Equid

 
Animals Unique | Zebra Equid | Zebra Classification and Evolution
The Zebra is a large species of equine That is natively found roaming the grassy plains of sub-Saharan Africa. They are the largest and most distinctive wild horses with bodies That are patterned with white and black stripes, the exact placement of the which is unique to each individual.
 
 There are three different species of Zebra That the which are found in Africa are the Common Zebra (also known as the Plains Zebra and the Zebra Burchell's), the Grevy's Zebra (also known as the Imperial Zebra) and the Mountain Zebra. They are incredibly Sociable animals can travel the vast distances That in search of fresh grass and water but are severely Threatened throughout much of Their natural range due to Increasing levels of human activity. Today, both the Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are Considered to be endangered species and although the Common Zebra is more widespread and Numerous, there have been sharp population declines in Certain areas.

Zebra Anatomy and Appearance
Zebras are heavy-bodied animals are perfectly designed for That speed with Their long and slender legs and narrow hooves Helping them to reach speeds of 40kph when running. In the same way as horses, They only have a single toe on each foot the which They walk on the tip of and is protected by Their tough hooves. Their black and white stripes are unique to each individual and help them to identify each other when in the herd. Zebras have long necks and heads That means They can easily reach the grass on the ground and a mane That extends from Their forehead and along Their back to the tail. The pattern of Their Between the stripes varies with species, Grevy's and Mountain Zebras having narrower stripes and white undersides, while the Common Zebra has broad stripes That covers it's entire body. The Grevy's Zebra is not only the largest of the Zebra species, but is also easily identifiable by it's large, rounded ears.

 
Zebra Distribution and Habitat
Zebras are found inhabiting the open grasslands and plains of East and Southern Africa where almost of Their They spend time grazing on the grasses. The Common Zebra is the most Numerous and has the widest natural range throughout East Africa where They are found roaming the grassy plains. The Mountain Zebra can be found grazing on the mountain grasslands of South-West Africa, while the Grevy's Zebra is confined to the arid grasslands and desert sub-Steppe throughout Ethiopia, Somalia and in northern Kenya. Zebras have evolved to run incredibly fast so They are Able to escape from dangerous predators and so rely Heavily on the open plains for Their survival. Although the Common Zebra has been least affected, all three species are at risk from population declines due to the loss of natural habitats Their Caused by by Increasing levels of human activity.
 
 
Zebra Behaviour and Lifestyle
Zebras are highly Sociable That roam the savanna animals in herds for protection from predators. The Grevy's Zebra herds occupies more loosely than the other species with a stallion (male) patrolling enormous territories of up to 10 square kilometres, with Mares (Females) and Their foals grazing Freely and occasionally forming small groups together That feed. Both the Common Zebra and the Mountain Zebra Inhabit Their native regions in long-term split into smaller herds That the which family groups are led by a dominant stallion and contain Between one and six Mares with Their Young. Their strong social bonds can the make them very affectionate towards one another, grooming each other using Often Their teeth. During the mating season, all males will fight fiercely for the right to breed with the Females and do so by rearing up on Their back legs whilst kicking and biting one another.

Zebra Reproduction and Life Cycles
The Zebra is a Relatively slow-developing mammal with not being Able to Females first breed at least until They are a few years old. After a gestation period can last for That Between 10 months and a year, the female Gives birth to a single foal is born with it That's stripes, mane and also has a little patch of hair in the middle of it's tummy. Zebra foals are Able to stand within minutes of birth the which is vital to Ensure That They are Able to run away to escape from predators.They are Able to begin eating grass after a week and are weaned by the time They are 11 months old. Young Zebras REMAIN with Their mother until They are mature at around three years old when the lazy to leave Their natal herd to join an all-male bachelor group, while Females Their stay with mother. These bachelor groups begin to challenge the dominant stallions to try and take over the harem during the mating season.

 
Zebra Diet and Prey
The Zebra is a herbivorous animal That meaning it eats only plant-matter in order to gain the nutrition it needs to survive That. The majority of the Zebra's diet (in fact around 90%) is comprised of a wide variety of different grasses with other plant leaves and buds Including matter making up the rest. They use sharp front teeth to Their nibble on the tough ends of grasses before grinding them up using the flat molars along it's cheeks. Due to the fact That grass has little nutritional value, Zebras must spend Between 60% and 80% of the day grazing. Common Zebras are Often seen drinking at water holes the which They do every day but, due to the fact That the Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra Inhabit drier, more arid regions, Often They do not drink for days at a time Several. In the dry season can travel the vast distances Zebras in search of fresh grass and water holes have not yet dried up That, with the Grevy's Zebra also known to dig into the ground of dried up river beds to access the underground water.

Zebra Predators and Threats
The Zebra is a large and powerful animal Despite being herbivorous That can easily Outrun many of it's predators. Zebras are preyed upon by Lions, Leopards, Hyenas and African Wild Dogs, along with other large carnivores Numerous Crocodiles Such as when crossing rivers or They are drinking. Although Their first instinct is to run away, Sometimes Zebras are known to attack the animal That is threatening it by kicking and biting. However, when danger is spotted, Zebras alert one another of the threat and by running away from predators Their tight as a herd, They Often either confuse or simply intimidate Their attacker. The biggest threat to Africa's remaining though Zebra Populations is the encroachment on Increasing Their natural habitats by people, with the loss of open plains to Their grazing for livestock and to clear land for agriculture.

 
Zebra Interesting Facts and Features
The stripes of the Zebra REMAIN a slight mystery to science even today as They were once thought to camouflage them into the natural light and shade of Their surroundings to confuse predators, as once running as a herd, it is extremely difficult, to REMAIN focused on a single animal. The formation of the stripes on Their rear end of the Zebra differs greatly Between the three species with Common Zebras having horizontal stripes on it's haunches Those where Grevy's Zebra of the curve upwards. These patterns on Their rear ends are thought to differ so greatly so That members of the same herd are Able to easily identify the individual at the front of the pack when running. As with other male horses, stallions are known to Zebra Their top lips curl up the which is thought to heighten Their sense of smell. This so-called "horse laugh" is thought to PROVE vital for the male to be Able to detect when a female is ready to mate.

Zebra Relationship with Humans
Due to the free-roaming nature of Zebras and over the vast distances, the Increasing human presence throughout the world has Meant That Zebras have been affected by the loss of Their habitats throughout much of the natural range.However, one of the most Intriguing Things about Zebras to people is that? Because They are so closely related to other equines Including Horses and Donkeys, Zebras has actually been Able to breed with them to Produce a hybrid foal, known as a Zonkey (Zebras and Donkeys) or as a Zorse (Zebras and Horses). Although it is not thought That the two species would naturally be Able to mate in the wild due to geographical differences, a number of both Zonkey and Zorse individuals now exist around the world. Zebras are thought to have natural protection to the which Certain parasites has led people to breed Horses and Donkeys with Zebras to Produce an animal That has the character and size of a Horse or Donkey but with the power and resilience of a Zebra. As with other cross-breed offspring though, Zonkeys and Zorses are infertile and so are Unable to reproduce Themselves.

 
Zebra Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, two out of the Zebras three species are listed by the IUCN as Endangered animals and therefore are That face extinction from Their natural habitats in the future. The Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are found in increasingly isolated regions and Their numbers continue to fall throughout Their natural ranges. The Common Zebra is an animal That Is Listed as being of Least Concern from extinction in the wild and although They are still widespread and numbers Appear to be Relatively stable, They like the other species, are Threatened by habitat loss throughout much of Their natural range .

Zebra Equid Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: equid
Genus: Equus
Scientific Name: Equus zebra, Equus quagga, Equus grevyi
Common Name: Zebra
Other Name (s): Mountain Zebra, Common Zebra, Plains Zebra, Burchells Zebra,Zebra Grevys
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 3
Location: Eastern and Southern Africa
Habitat: Open Grassland and plains
Colour: Black, White, Brown
Skin Type: Hair
Size (L): 2m - 2.75m (6.6ft - 9ft)
Weight: 220kg - 405kg (485lbs - 893lbs)
Top Speed: 40kph (25mph)
Diet: Herbivore
Prey: Grasses, Leaves, Buds
Predators: Lions, Leopards, Hyenas
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Herd
Life Span: 20-30 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3-4 years
Gestation Period: 10-12 months
Average Litter Size: 1
Name Of Young: Foal
Of Weaning Age: 11 months
Conservation Status: Endangered / Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: Declining
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Long, slender legs and one toe on each foot
Fun Fact: Stripe patterns are unique to each individual!

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