Wild Animals A-Z

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Zebra

Zebra Types: There are three zebra species: the mountain zebra, the plains (or common) zebra, and the Grevy's zebra. The plains zebra includes six subspecies, and each differs in the pattern of their black and white stripes.

Huge Herds: They all graze in large herds on tall grasses. Some zebra herds number in the tens of thousands, but within these larger herds are distinct family groups composed of a male, several females and their young.

Mysterious Stripes: It has often been suggested that the stripes of zebras serve as camouflage in tall grasses. But the fact that they make no attempt to hide and freeze when a predator is seen — indeed, they become noisy and active — seems to contradict this theory.

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MORE ZEBRA

SPECIES: Meet the Common Zebra

SPECIES: Meet the Mountain Zebra

INTERACTIVE: Okavango Bestiary

DID YOU KNOW?

Like Fingerprints: A zebra's stripes are as unique as human fingerprints and help identify individuals.

The Primitive Zebra: The Grevy's zebra is the largest of all the wild equines (horses), and the most primitive of the three zebra species. Stripes aside, it's more similar to a donkey than to other zebras.

Vicious Fighters: Zebra fights are often very vicious. The animals bite at each other's heads, necks and legs, wrestle each other to the ground and kick with powerful hind legs.

How Stuff Works

Are Zebras Black with White Stripes or White with Black Stripes?
It seems zebras have an equal number of black and white stripes, so which color is the actual stripe? Get cleared up at HowStuffWorks.com.