Are you curious to learn some weird and wonderful facts about zebras?
If so, excellent! You are in exactly the right place my friend…
It’s time to chat about zebra facts.
Let’s dive right in…
Facts About Zebras
1 – Zebras are the only animal with black and white stripes. Their stripes help them blend in with the tall grasses of the African savanna.
2 – The gestation period is 16 months long and they can live up to 40 years.
3 – Zebras eat grasses, leaves, bark from trees, fruit, flowers and their predators include lions and hyenas.
4 – They live in herds of 10-30 animals called a “herd” or a “pride”, led by one male and female zebra.
5 – A baby zebra is called a foal.
More Facts About Zebras
6 – The average life span for a zebra is 25 years in captivity, but they can live up to 40 years in the wild.
7 – The zebra’s closest relative is the horse, which can be seen by their similar teeth and hooves but they are not the same species.
8 – Zebra foals are born with brown-and-white striped coats that change color as they grow up.
9 – Every single zebra has its own unique pattern of stripes.
10 – Zebras live in Africa and some parts of Asia.
More Facts About Zebras
11 – A male zebra is called a stallion and a female zebra is called a mare. A baby zebra is called a foal, and they usually stay with their mother until they’re two years old.
12 – The word ‘zebrine’ means ‘striped like a zebra’.
13 – There are three types of zebras – Grevy’s, Burchell’s and Grant’s. The Grevy’s zebra is highly endangered with only 2000 adults remaining in the wild.
14 – The zebra has a long tongue for eating leaves and grasses. They can run up to 50 miles per hour!
15 – Zebras have never been domesticated like horses because they are unpredictable and difficult to train.
More Facts About Zebras
16 – The word “zebra” comes from a Portuguese word meaning “striped horse.”
17 – Zebras can run up to 50 km/h (30 mph) over short distances or 10-20 km/h (6-12 mph) for long distances.
18 – A group of zebras is called a dazzle or herd. Zebras travel in herds because it is safer this way than being alone or with just one other animal.
19 – Zebras use their hooves to defend themselves against other animals, but they also have teeth that can be used for fighting.
20 – Zebra fur is made up of long, thick hairs that provide insulation to protect them from extreme heat or cold.
More Facts About Zebras
21 – Zebras have stripes that help them camouflage in the tall grasses of their habitat. Striped patterns on zebras make it difficult for predators to identify one zebra from another, which increases the likelihood that they will be able to escape.
22 – Female zebras give birth standing up after an 11-month gestation period.
23 – The zebra’s scientific name is Equus Quagga Zebra.
24 – Zebras live in Africa, where they eat grasses, leaves, fruit, bark and roots. zebras are herbivores and eat mostly grasses, leaves, fruits, flowers, roots and bark.
25 – The zebra is endangered because they have been hunted for their fur and meat.
BONUS FACTS
The zebra is the national animal of Botswana.
Zebroids are crossbreeds between zebras and horses. Yes they exist! They have been bred since the 19th century.
A zorse is the baby offspring born to a zebra stallion and horse mare. A zonkey is when you mix a donkey with a zebra. A zoni is the baby of a zebra and a pony.
