 | Quick Facts |  |
|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus
Species: grevyi
Length: 111 inches
Weight: 518 lbs
Gestation: 380 days
Offspring: 1
Life Span: 10 - 25 years
| |  |
|
Grevy's ZebraEquus grevyi Also Called: Imperial zebra Mom and child (245 KB)
|  |
Grevy’s zebra is one of only six surviving species in the Equidae family. They have long heads and necks, with a short mane running from the top of their head down to their upper back. They have narrow black and white stripes with a white belly. They have fairly long ears that they can rotate to determine the location of a sound. Grevy’s zebra has incisors that they use to clip grass and numerous cheek-teeth that grind their food.
Grevy’s zebra feeds mainly on grasses, but will also consume bark, fruit and leaves. Their diet requires a high volume, so they spend about 60% of their day eating. In drier times when food is scarce, eating can occupy up to 80% of their time.
Grevy’s zebra is native to eastern Africa. They are usually found in the plains and savanna, where grasses are most abundant.
Adult males usually live alone in a large territory in which they claim exclusive mating rights. When they do group together, it usually only lasts a couple of months. A high amount of competition exists for mating rights. Two males will compete for an area by having pushing contests, rearing and biting. Females have a dominance hierarchy as well, but engage in mutual grooming to establish relationships with each other.
Mares typically give birth to only one offspring at time. A young foal is able to walk one hour after birth and can graze within a few weeks.
The zebra has very good eyesight during the day and night. They have binocular vision in the front and can probably see in color. They also have excellent hearing that can detect very distant sounds. Their sense of taste is also quite keen. They can detect slight changes in the quality of their food.
|
|
