Zebras are monogamous animals, inhabitants of African shrouds, steppes and mountain plateaus. They often migrate in search of food and water, depleted by herds and families into large herds. Such fees help protect against predators and safely reach new pastures. Frequent migrations and zebra crossings helped them to acquire endurance and stamina even in the most difficult conditions. But in addition to endurance, zebras possess other qualities and skills that help to survive in the difficult conditions of wild Africa. What are these qualities you will learn by reading 20 interesting facts about zebras.
At the head of the zebra family there is always one stallion – the leader of the pack.
Each male has his own harem, consisting of several females not in kinship ties.
In the family group, there is a strict hierarchy between females. At the head of the family is always the main mare, the rest follow her.
Pregnancy for zebras lasts 1 year.
After the birth, the foal immediately tries to get to his feet, and within an hour he can run at a gallop.
Zebra need to drink every day.
Stripes on zebra skin are unique. Their uniqueness can be compared with the fingerprints of a person.
The female leads her offspring away from the family group, introducing the family to her new member only three days later. This is done so that the baby has time to remember the smell, voice and color of the mother.
Most often zebras sleep standing up.
Zebra can run at a speed of 50 km / h.
During the rest, zebras are sent to watchmen, so that they can warn the herd in case of danger.
Many scientists are still wondering why zebra strips. According to one of the zebra theories, they are needed to protect against predators, in particular from lions, who can not visualize and isolate a particular individual as a prey in a merging herd of black and white stripes.
In males, unlike females, there are sharp fangs, which they use in frequent battles with rivals.
Zebras are not white in a black strip, but on the contrary, black in a white strip. This color is obtained as a result of the absence of pigment on sections of white color.
Tsetse flies and horseflies never attack zebras, for them zebras are the flashing of black and white stripes.
The unions of zebras are for life. It can burst if the leader dies or is expelled by another male.
Zebras have excellent memory and vision. They perfectly recognize their relatives and friends from afar on the pattern of strips.
The structure of the zebra stomach allows you to eat even very rough fodder, which other herbivores do not eat.
Now there are only three species of zebras: Burchell, Ordinary, Mountain and Grevy. Two of them are listed in the International Red Book as an endangered species (mountain and Grevi).
Zebras can interbreed with donkeys, horses and ponies. The result is a hybrid offspring. Such hybrids are called zebraids.
