Zoology of the ZooPl. III
Plains zebra
Equus quagga
Mammalia · Perissodactyla · Equidae
Fig. 1. Plains zebra
Fig. 2. Range
| Length or height | Shoulder height about 1.3 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 220-320 kg |
| Food | Herbivore: grasses |
| Lifespan | About 20-25 years (longer in zoos) |
| Society | Harems of one stallion and several mares; herds merge in migration |
| Habitat | savanna, grassland |
| Range | Africa |
| Wild or tame | Wild; attempts to domesticate failed |
Each zebra's stripe pattern is unique. Why zebras were never tamed is a classic case in the domestication puzzle.
Observe: Look for mutual grooming, two zebras resting head to tail, and the stallion standing guard.