THE STRIPES

 Few animals are as strongly matched with the African continent as zebras is the  only wild member of the horse family in south Sahara.

INTRODUCTION

There are three type of zebra's species.The well-known and common Burchell's Zebra, the Mountain Zebra, and the Gravy's Zebra of East Africa.All three species are further divided into region wise  sub-species.The extinct Quagga is considered to have been a sub-species of the Burchell's Zebra.
The Burchell's and Mountain Zebras caught in major decreases in their region  in southern Africa recently.Both were killed in large numbers the white colonists. Indeed, this massacre led to the complete extinction of the Quagga.

HABITAT

Today, the two sub-species of Mountain Zebra - Cape and Hartmann's  surviving  in isolated populations in the Western Cape and Namibia respectively. Populations of both appear to be almost protected within national parks and on private land.

In southern Africa, Burchell's Zebra still existing  in large numbers in reserves such as Kruger, Sabi-Sand, Umfolozi. Really large herds are, however, only to be found in northern Namibia(Etosha) and northern Botswana (Savuti). Spectacular congregations may still be seen in these areas of wide open plains. Burchell's Zebra is also abundant in East Africa, where up to 500 000 exists in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.There are smaller populations in most other protected areas. The East African zebras lack the pale brown 'shadow' stripes and appear to be more boldly patterned.


DIET

Zebras are almost grazers. They likes short grasses. They are particularly fond of freshly sprouted grass and will move large distances in search of this nutritious grass. They also feed on slightly longer grass than the wildebeest. Zebra are dependent upon water and this limits their region  and their movements.

HAREM FAMILY

Burchell's Zebra live in small family groups, usually consisting of between four and eight individuals led by a single dominant stallion - the true (harem family). The adult mares in a group are usually related, being sisters, or 'aunts, nieces and daughters'.Male offspring are chosen from the herd by the dominant stallion.
When the young mares first come into oestrus, they adopt an inviting stance to attract nearby members of bachelor groups. Fights often ensue between the stallions, but the 'father' cannot attend to the many advances, and loses each of his 'daughters' to her suitor.
The catch however, is that the young mares will not permit crossing  during their first oestrus and will wait until they are settled into a family before beginning to breed.

REPRODUCTION

The Burchell's Zebra has a pregnancy period of 12 months, with a single foal being born at any time of the year.
They have a great social interaction when they are on the move the stallion at the rear, the dominant mare leading the group and the lower-ranking members following in sequence. So, it means the dominant mare leads the family. Large herd of zebra consist of hundreds of  harem families which retain their identity within the big herd.


SOCIAL LIFE

Zebras associate with antelopes,giraffe, and even ostrich. They do this  to create a anti-predator device. Nevertheless, zebras stands top of the list of lion and Hyena prey. Youngsters are particularly suitable to these predators which, hunting in groups.These predators  easily separate the young from the adults. Stallions will defend their harem vigorously, sometimes they defend so hard to even kill the attacker.