Plains Zebra Flashcards
What is the largest extant equine?
Grevy’s zebra.
how much does a plains zebra weigh?
Between 450 and 700 pounds
How long are plains zebras?
Eight feet
Are male zebras bigger than the female?
Yes.
When do plains zebras breed?
January to March.
How many foals do plains zebras have?
One
What is the gestation period of a plains zebra in years?
1 year
What age do zebras reach maturity at?
1 to 3
What do male zebras do when they first leave the herd?
Form bachelor groups.
What do male zebras do at 5 years old?
Create harems.
How long do zebras live in the wild?
30 years
How many years can zebras live in captivity?
40 years
What is the range and habitat of the plains zebra?
Southern Africa in savanna and grassland.
What do plains zebras eat?
Grass.
True or false? Only one male in each herd of plains zebras is allowed to breed.
True.
How will a plains zebra male attempt to take over a harem?
He will fight the dominant male.
How do zebras fight?
They kick and bite each other.
Do zebras mix well with other species?
Yes.
Why do zebras stay close to each other when a predator is near?
To prevent a predator from singling out an individual.
Why do zebras have stripes?
To camouflage with each other.
True or false? Zebras require only the most nutritious grass.
False. They can survive off very annutritious grass.
What are some predators of the zebra?
Lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs.
What is the conservation status of the plains zebra?
Least concern.
True or false? No two zebra’s stripes are exactly alike.
True.
Is the zebra white with black stripes, or black with white stripes?
Black with white stripes.
How fast can a zebra run?
Up to 40 mph.
What does a zebra call sound like?
A high-pitched bark.
What is an alternate name for the plains zebra?
Common zebra.
What are some threats to the plains zebra?
Habitat loss, competition with livestock, and poaching.
What is the extinct subspecies of the plains zebra called?
The quagga.
How many subspecies of plains zebra are there?
Six.
True or false? It is unusual to find a Grevy’s zebra in a herd with plains zebras.
False.
Can fertile offspring occur from a cross between a Grevy’s zebra and plains zebra?
Yes.
What is the smallest species of zebra?
The plains zebra.
Why are some scientists skeptical that the intention of the zebra’s stripes is to blend in with the grass?
Other cryptic species are quiet and stealthy, whereas zebras are active and noisy.
A study in 2012 suggested that the pattern of a zebra’s coat may discourage biting flies. How does it do this?
It reflects light in such a way that it irritates them. Zebras were harassed less by the flies than any other species.
Can individual zebras recognize each other? How?
Yes, by their stripes.
Are zebras ruminants?
No. They are hindgut fermenters.
what advantage does hindgut fermenting give a zebra?
It allows them to assimilate digest more food than a ruminant.
what animal preys on zebras during river crossings?
Nile crocodiles.
What is the zebra a symbol of in many African cultures?
Beauty.
What do women in the Karamojong tribe in Uganda paint themselves as when they dance?
Zebras.
True or false? In some areas, zebra populations are drastically on the decline.
True.
How do zebras keep themselves safe from predators?
One zebra keeps watch and barks or snorts if they see a predator.
What do zebras use to greet each other?
Their ears. (Ears up; friendy. Ears back; agressive)
How do zebras strengthen social bonds?
Grooming.
What kinds of motion illusions do a zebra’s stripes cause?
Illusions where the zebra looks like it is moving in a different direction than it actually is.
How tall does a zebra stand?
5 feet.
