ZEBRA

Equus quagga

Equus zebra

Equus grevyi

Zebras are a group of striped Equids in the genus Equus. Zebras live on the plains and steppes of Africa feeding on grass. Zebras measure about 5 Ft (1.3 M) tall and 8 Ft (2.5 M) long. They are known for their stripe pattern. The use of these stripes is not fully understood. There are five hypothetical uses for the stripes.

1: It could be used for camouflage in grass.

2: It might be a form of Dazzle Camouflage, similar to those used on ships. This may confuse a predator at a distance by disrupting the animal’s apparent outline and direction.

3: The stripes could be used as a form of visual identification, as zebras each have unique stripe patterns.

4 :The Stripes could confuse blood-sucking insects such as flies and mosquitoes, making it harder to find its target.

5: The last theory is that they use the stripes for thermal regulation. Dark colors absorb light while light colors reflect them, causing a variation in temperature. Because of the rapid heating and cooling, the air moves at different speeds over the stripes, creating currents around the zebra.

Herding behavior varies in different species. The Mountain Zebra (Equus Zebra) lives in a group known as a Harem. The Harem is composed by a group of Females and Foals which are led by a Stallion (Male.) Grévy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) is more solitary, and Harems only form during breeding season.