Plains Zebra ( Equus burchelli )
Plains Zebra - Plains Zebra information - Plains Zebra facts, pictures, photos
Plains zebra (Equus burchelli) is mammal and it belongs to the family Equidae, hoofed animals characterized by one toe. It lives on savanna grasslands of the eastern and southern Africa. Their home ranges vary in size from 31 to 622 square kilometers which they share with other animals – they are extremely social. They may live alone, but usually create groups of 5 to 20 animals, consisting of dominant male, mares and offspring.
The height of an adult plains zebra is 112 to147 centimetres at the shoulder and their weight varies greatly, from 175 to 385 kg. Males are usually about 10% larger than females. The stripes of plains zebra are rather broad, especially towards its rump. The color ranges from black to dark brown on a white to buff background. Sometimes, there is shadowing on the flank and rump between the dark and white striping. There is no color variation between the sexes. However, plains zebras vary in color and pattern across their range.
Zebras live from 20 to 30 years. Females reach sexual maternity in 2 to 4 years, males rather in 4. The gestation period of a zebra is about 12 months. Usually one foal is born; it weights around 32 kg, stands immediately and can run within a day. It is nursed for 16 months. Since a mare may come into estrus within days of giving birth, she can conceive almost yearly.
Zebras’ diet consists exclusively of grass; just sometimes they eat also leaves or twigs. They are noisy and restless animals.
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