The plains zebra is the most common and widespread of the three zebra species, found across sub-Saharan Africa in grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands. No two zebras have the same stripe pattern — each individual’s stripes are as unique as a human fingerprint. Zebras are highly social animals that live in family groups led by a dominant stallion, and they form large mixed herds with wildebeest and antelope for added protection.
About the Zebra
Equus quagga
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01
A zebra's stripes may function as a form of insect repellent — research shows that horseflies are far less likely to land on striped surfaces than solid-coloured ones.
02
Zebras sleep standing up using a 'stay apparatus' in their legs, but they can only achieve REM sleep lying down, which they do in groups with sentinels on watch.
03
The dazzle effect of their stripes creates a 'motion dazzle' when herds run together, making it difficult for predators to isolate and track an individual.
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Foals can recognise their mother's unique stripe pattern within hours of birth, preventing them from imprinting on the wrong individual.
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Zebras have a hindgut fermentation system that allows them to extract nutrition from very low-quality, fibrous grass that cattle and other grazers cannot digest.
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