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Animals

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A-Z

Zebra

Equus burchellii

A zebra herd vocalizing

Photograph by Chris
Johns

Zebra Profile

No animal has a more distinctive coat than the zebra.
Each animal's stripes are as unique as fingerprints—no
two are exactly alike—although each of the three species
has its own general pattern.

Why do zebras have
stripes at all? Scientists aren't sure, but many
theories center on their utility as some form of
camouflage. The patterns may make it difficult for
predators to identify a single animal from a running
herd and distort distance at dawn and dusk. Or they may
dissuade insects that recognize only large areas of
single-colored fur or act as a kind of natural
sunscreen. Because of their uniqueness, stripes may also
help zebras recognize one another.

Zebras are
social animals that spend time in herds. They graze
together, primarily on grass, and even groom one
another.

Plains (Burchell's) zebras are the most
common species. They live in small family groups
consisting of a male (stallion), several females, and
their young. These units may combine with others to form
awe-inspiring herds thousands of head strong, but family
members will remain close within the herd.

Zebras
must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has
many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its
family will come to its defense, circling the wounded
zebra and attempting to drive off
predators.

Fast Facts

Type: Mammal

Diet: Herbivore

Average lifespan in the wild: 25
years

Size: Height at the shoulder, 3.5
to 5 ft (1.1 to 1.5 m)

Weight: 440 to 990 lbs (200 to 450
kg)

Group name: Herd

Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m)
man:

Multimedia

Zebra Printable Factsheet

Zebra Features

Photo
of the Day: Making Waves

See an unusual photo of a zebra taken with an
innovative shutterless camera in Tanzania.

View
Photos

Photo
of the Day: True Colors

See a 100-year-old photo of a zebra resting on the
savanna of Kenya.

View
Photos

Born
to Roam

East Africa's plains zebras are always on the move.
Tag along in this multimedia feature.

Learn
More

Other Striped and Spotted Animals

Skunk

Ring-Tailed
Lemur

Leopard

Cheetah

Spotted
Hyena

Spotted
Salamander

Zebra range

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