Zebra habitat on the map. Exotic, striped, or Where do zebras live? Zebra status in nature

Zebras are a small group of animals from the order Perissodactyls. The closest relatives of zebras are wild donkeys and horses, and more distant relatives are rhinoceroses and tapirs. Now there are three species of zebras, the fourth species - the quagga - has been completely exterminated by humans.

Zebras in the savannah.

Being the most primitive representatives of the equine family, zebras combine the characteristics of a donkey and a horse. A zebra is the size of a small horse: height at the withers is 1.2-1.4 m, weight 350 kg. But their legs are not as tall and slender as those of horses, their heads are relatively large and heavy (especially that of Gravy’s zebra), their donkey-like ears are large, and they have the same donkey-like tail with a tassel. The voice of zebras is also more like the short cry of a donkey. Zebras have erect manes. The color is contrasting with white and black transverse stripes covering the entire body. Zebras different types have differences in color. For example, Gravy's zebra has thin and frequent stripes that do not reach the stomach, and create a black belt on the back.

Gravy's zebras (Equus grevyi).

The Burchell's zebra has wide and sparse stripes on its belly that merge into a black belt. Another subspecies of it, the Chapman's zebra, has thin additional brownish stripes in the middle of the white stripes.

Chapman's zebras (Equus burchelli antiquorum).

Despite such a simple geometric pattern, the arrangement of stripes on the body of each animal is strictly individual and is never repeated.

Although both zebras belong to the same species, individual differences in color are very noticeable.

Occasionally in nature there are mutations of zebras with almost uniform coloring.

A natural mutation of the zebra.

All species of zebras live in Africa, of which Burchell's zebra is the most widespread species and is found everywhere in grassy and shrubby savannas. The mountain zebra and Gravy's zebra are found only in southern Africa, with the mountain zebra inhabiting mountain plateaus and the Gravy's zebra preferring desert areas with sparse vegetation. Zebras are herd animals; the number of individuals in a herd can range from 10 to several hundred. Zebras do not have permanent habitats and roam depending on the location of fresh grass. Particularly large-scale migrations are made by Burchell's zebras, which often migrate together with wildebeest. Zebras sometimes form mixed herds with wildebeest and ostriches.

Zebras and wildebeest cross a river together during migration.

Zebras feed only on herbaceous vegetation. They graze around the clock as they have no pronounced daily activity. These animals also need a lot of water and go to water regularly.

Zebras at a watering hole.

Calm and peaceful relationships reign in the herd of zebras. The herd is led by a male who shows increased vigilance and constantly monitors the situation around him. Other members of the herd alternately raise their heads while grazing, without losing sight of the surroundings. To express friendly feelings, zebras have a sign language: they come up to each other and put their heads on the shoulders or rump of their fellow, they also lightly bite each other’s necks to express tenderness. However, during pursuit, zebras do not protect their fellow animals, so an animal that strays from the herd runs the risk of being eaten.

Although zebras breed all year round, the mass appearance of offspring usually coincides with the rainy season. During the rut, males leading herds protect their herds from attacks by lonely stallions.

During the fight, the males rear up and hit each other with their front hooves.

Mating fights are more of a ritual nature and rarely end in serious injuries.

Another favorite technique is to kneel down and bite your opponent’s legs.

Each male's harem contains no more than 10-15 females. Pregnancy lasts 13 months.

Pregnant zebra.

Zebras give birth to only one, but very large and developed cub.

A newborn zebra cub tries to get to its feet.

Within 10 minutes after birth, the foal is on its feet, after 20 it is able to walk, and after 40 it is jumping around its mother.

Bohme's zebra, or Grant's zebra (Equus burchelli bohme) - one of the subspecies of Burchelli's zebra - feeds a foal.

Despite such mobility, he is not able to maintain the galloping speed of adult animals (zebras gallop at speeds of up to 50 km/h). Therefore, mass foaling of females attracts a large number of predators who are not averse to eating easy prey.

In general, zebras, along with wildebeests, constitute the most common prey of lions, hyenas, and wildebeest dogs. Less commonly, they are hunted by leopards and cheetahs. At watering holes and during migrations, zebras often become prey for crocodiles. Zebras can only counteract predators with speed and kicks with their hind legs, which they sometimes use to fight off their pursuers. If the predator acts alone, this sometimes works, but in a group attack the zebras are doomed.

A zebra fights off a lioness with its hooves.

People have also always hunted zebras. But, if local tribes with single forays could not undermine the number of countless herds, then European colonists, with the help firearms They staged a real massacre. A striking proof is the fate of one of the zebra species - the quagga - which was completely exterminated (the original population of the species was estimated at several million heads!).

The quagga (Equus quagga) was only half striped.

The mountain zebra population is still at a critical level. In captivity, zebras are perfectly tamed and even produce hybrids with horses and donkeys.

to the zebra's stubborn struggle for life.

1-2 million rubles.

Burchellova, or savannah zebra(Equus quagga)
Class - mammals

Order - odd-toed ungulates

Family - equines

Genus - horses

Appearance

A striped animal of medium size and dense build, with relatively short legs. Body length 2-2.4 m, tail 47-57 cm, height at withers 1.12-1.4 m, weight 290-340 kg. Males are only 10% larger than females. Another difference between males and females is a thicker neck. The mane is short, erect; at the end of the tail there is a brush of long hair. The coloring characteristic of zebras consists of alternating dark and light stripes, or rather light stripes on a dark background. Each individual has its own unique pattern, it is as individual as human fingerprints. On the front of the body the stripes run vertically, on the croup they are closer to longitudinal. The pattern of stripes varies individually and geographically, which allows us to distinguish 6 subspecies. In general, in the northern subspecies of savannah zebra the stripes are more distinct and cover the entire body, while in the southern subspecies they are wider, on the croup and legs they tend to lighten and “blur”, and against the background of white stripes “shadow”, light-colored stripes are visible. brown stripes. The savanna zebra differs from the desert zebra in its smaller size and sparser stripes; from the mountain zebra - by the absence of a “dewlap”, a characteristic bulge on the neck, and a lattice pattern on the rump.

Habitat

Widely distributed in southeastern Africa, from southern Ethiopia to eastern South Africa and Angola.

Inhabiting savannas and steppes, the savannah zebra prefers cereal and cereal-shrub pastures, especially those located on hills and gentle slopes of low mountains. However, it is also found in partially forested areas with tall grass, which contributes to the expansion of its range compared to other zebras. At night, zebras migrate to open areas, which provide less cover for predators.

In nature

Zebras are gregarious, polygamous animals that live in family herds. At the head of the herd is a stallion no younger than 5-6 years old, the rest are females and young animals. The size of the herd depends on living conditions; As a rule, there are no more than 9-10 heads in it. A herd occurs when a young stallion chooses a mare. Soon they are joined by several more females, and they stay together until the end of their lives. The composition of a family herd is constant, although when attacked by predators or during migrations, it can temporarily disintegrate or unite with other herds into herds of up to tens or hundreds of heads. In addition, zebras often graze side by side with other herbivores. Grouping into large herds is a protective measure - it reduces the chances that a particular animal will become prey to predators. Members of a family herd recognize each other even at a considerable distance. Within the herd there is a hierarchy of females with the oldest mare at the head. Young stallions are expelled from the family group at the age of 1-3 years; Before this, there is no antagonism between them and the stallion. Single adult males form separate herds or stay alone. Herding stallions cover the mares of their herd, not allowing outside males to approach them. However, even if a single stallion beats off a female, after mating she returns to her herd. Old or sick stallions are expelled from the herd, which is accompanied by fights. In general, fights between adult stallions who lead herds and between stallions and bachelors are rare.

The savannah zebra migrates widely due to seasonal changes in feeding conditions, moving to wetter areas during the dry season. In dry areas like the Serengeti (Tanzania) total length annual nomadic route is 805 km, while in the wetter Ngorongoro (Tanzania) zebras all year round live sedentary. One of the adult mares (usually the oldest) leads the herd during migrations; foals follow her in order of increasing age, then other females with young ones, and the stallion brings up the rear. The grazing and watering areas are relatively constant, but are not protected by members of the herd from other zebras and herbivores. The size of the feeding area of ​​one herd can vary from 31 to 622 km².

They feed on herbaceous vegetation, eating about 50 types of herbs. Leaves and shoots are eaten in smaller quantities. Zebras depend on water sources because they must drink at least once a day, and they never move very far from them.

Reproduction

The first heat in mares occurs at the age of 13-15 months; the shoal stallion covers females starting from 1.5 years of age. However, fertilization occurs no earlier than 2-2.5 years, and for the first time the female gives birth to a foal no earlier than 3-3.5 years. Immature females are often beaten off and taken away from the herd by single males. Males become sexually mature at 3 years, but due to competition with older males, they collect their own harems no earlier than 5-6 years.

Zebras do not have a specific breeding season, although their peak birthing season occurs at the beginning of the rainy season, December-January. Thus, according to research in the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, 2/3 of the foals will be born in January - March (rainy season), and only 1/10 in April - September (dry season). Pregnancy lasts 346-390 days, with an average of 370 days. In a litter there are 1, rarely 2 cubs weighing up to 30 kg. Within 10-15 minutes after birth, the foal gets to its feet on its own, after 20 minutes it takes its first steps, after 30-45 minutes it walks noticeable distances, and after an hour it begins to suckle its mother. Usually, the first days after the foal appears, the female does not allow anyone closer than 3 m to it. A stallion, as a rule, stays close to the giving birth mare and, if necessary, protects her. If the newborn is in danger (for example, from hyenas that wander in search of newborn ungulates), the mother hides with the cub in the herd, and all the zebras take part in their protection; however, the mortality rate of cubs from attacks by lions and hyenas is high - up to 50%. Although the foal begins to nibble grass within a week, milk feeding continues until 12-16 months. Zebras usually give birth to a foal once every 2-3 years, but 1/6 of the mares foal annually, becoming pregnant immediately after giving birth. Mares are capable of foaling until they are 15-18 years old.

It is necessary to ensure that animals do not overeat. This is especially true for human food: bread, chips, sugar, corn flakes. Cucumbers grown in your own greenhouse are not the best option for a zebra treat. Such food makes wild animals sick, their water-salt balance is disturbed, and treatment is quite long and expensive.

In captivity, wild horses do not have the usual dangers, so with good care they live longer than in the wild. On the other hand, in a pen, animals live in a very limited area and do not have the opportunity to independently determine the composition of the herd, which cannot but affect their well-being. If possible, care should be taken to ensure that the animals move as much as possible, and adult stallions should be separated so that they do not engage in fights.

When keeping zebras in captivity, special attention should be paid to the hooves. In nature, hooves wear down on the ground as they move. But in the pen, animal movement is kept to a minimum. If the hooves are not ground down, they become deformed, become ugly, and walking begins to cause pain for the zebra. Therefore, from time to time it is necessary to trim and grind down part of the hooves, which can only be done under general anesthesia.

But if zebras are well kept and regularly examined by a veterinarian, they will delight you for a long time.

Life expectancy in captivity reaches 40 years.

Zebras live only in African savannas. Because of the striped pattern on their skin, they are also called tiger horses. These are close relatives of the horse and donkey, which together form the equidae family (Equidae).

WILD HORSES OF AFRICA

In their structure, steppe zebras are similar to horses, and the head, short, stiff occipital mane and long, tasseled tail resemble a donkey. The height at the withers reaches almost 1.4 m, weight - up to 300 kg.

Steppe zebras live in open areas with grass or in open forests. Typical of these African wild horses is a springy gait. The structure of their legs allows them to sleep standing without straining their muscles. Like all equines, the zebra has large molars that are used for grinding plant foods. Zebras, like horses, are nervous animals. They are very vigilant and, when attacked, mostly flee. On the other hand, stallions are extremely warlike and aggressive, they can bite painfully and hit their opponents hard with their hooves.

THE MYSTERY OF THE ZEBRA STRIPES

There are many theories about the meaning and purpose of the contrasting black and white pattern. Stripes have long been considered a camouflage that optically breaks up the outline of the animal's body (somatolysis) and protects it from large predators, such as lions. But zebras never try to hide in the bushes, where such camouflage would make sense. Also, the assumption that lions can be confused by their striped pattern during an attack has not yet been confirmed. Another theory is that the striped pattern affects the eyes of tsetse flies in such a way that these stinging insects do not perceive zebras as an attack target. This point of view is supported by the fact that tsetse flies are carriers of pathogens of various diseases, in particular nagana, and zebras suffer relatively little from this disease. However, the contradiction is that zebras often move side by side with antelopes, which these flies attack. At a short distance, flies navigate by smell, and they are practically indifferent to whether their victims have stripes or not.

Most likely, the stripes on the skin serve a social function within the herd, since this is the only way to identify each animal. In any case, it has been proven that the striped pattern helps zebras recognize each other when grooming, which has an important role.

1). Grevy's zebra

2). Hartmann's mountain zebra

3). Chapman's zebra (steppe zebra subspecies)

4). Grant's zebra (subspecies of steppe zebra)

GOOD FEED RECYCLERS

Steppe zebras primarily feed on grass; only occasionally they consume foliage and eat shrubs. Zebras lack the enzyme cellulase, which is necessary to break down cellulose. Therefore, like all ruminants, their bodies contain microorganisms that perform this function. They, like other equines, are located in the cecum (in ruminants - in the stomach). Since zebras digest food well, if necessary they can make do with rougher food.

CLOSE COHESION

As social animals, steppe zebras share their habitat with many grass- and leaf-eating animals. Other species benefit from the vigilance, good vision, hearing and sense of smell of zebras.

In most cases, zebras live in family groups of several adult females and young (5-20 animals), led by a stallion. During movements, the oldest mare often leads the herd, followed by the rest of the animals, and the stallion forms the rear guard. The availability of food determines whether zebras will undertake long-distance movements or remain faithful to their habitat. As long as there is enough food, they stay in one area. In the Serengeti, where food is limited during periods of drought, small groups of steppe zebras gather in large herds in search of food. Animals always strive for close physical contact in a group; they groom and bite each other. Mares in particular spend a lot of time nearby; They also have a subordination: those of higher rank are the first to approach the water source.

HAREMS AND GROUPS OF BACKGROUND

Steppe zebras are not territorial animals; The patrol areas of one family group, each of which, depending on the availability of food, can be 30-600 km2, overlap with the areas of neighbors. Young stallions at the age of four begin to compete over mares and try to acquire their own harem. At the same time, they engage in fierce fights, kicking and biting their opponents. If a stallion captures a harem, his position remains unchallenged, and competitors rarely challenge him. Stallions over four years of age who were unable to capture a harem converge into groups of bachelors. At the onset of puberty at the age of 2-4 years, young mares leave the herd where they were born and join a neighboring herd or several young stallions. For mares, life in a harem has the advantage that, thanks to the vigilance of the leader, they can spend more time searching for food, they have a protector and are protected from the harassment of other stallions. If a mare is not happy with her stallion, she can leave the group and join another.

After a twelve-month pregnancy, the female gives birth to a foal in December-January, which can immediately rise and follow its mother. He soon begins to graze, although he additionally suckles from his mother for about a year. Although foals are guarded and protected, the mortality rate among them is very high (about 50%).

THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE RAIN

In search of food and sources of water, steppe zebras embark on long journeys. During the rainy season, the animals stay on the plain at the foot of the Ngorongoro crater. In June, zebras move to the northwest, where there is more rainfall. In July they move further in the direction of Massai Mara ( national park in Kenya), where it rains even during periods of drought.

Mountain zebras - lovers of rocky terrain

Mountain zebras (Equuszebra) are adapted to life in mountainous grassy areas. They have better muscle development than their relatives in the valley, and narrower hooves. Mountain zebras today can only be found in southwest Africa. There are two subspecies: the Hartmann's zebra (Equuszebra hartmanni), which lives in dry areas, and the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra), which is widespread in the mountains of the Eastern and Western Cape, although the population has never been large.

Zebra (Equus sp.)
Zebras are a type of wild horse. All zebras have the same type of coloring - black and white stripes, but they depend on where they live: northern zebras have black and long stripes, southern zebras have brown and short stripes.
For a long time, biologists could not understand why zebras need stripes. Until recently, there was an assumption that this was a disguise. In the flowing air of the African savannah, zebras blend into the landscape and become invisible to predators, especially lions. Then everyone finally came to the conclusion that the stripes are a camouflage not from predators, but from the tsetse fly. These small winged monsters carry a fatal animal disease that causes fever and loss of strength. Thanks to their stripes, zebras become less noticeable to these terrible flies and avoid their bites.
There are three varieties of zebras. Burchella's zebra lives in Southern and Eastern Africa, Grevy's zebra lives in the North-Eastern region, while the mountain zebra, distinguished from the rest by its reddish nose, is found in mountainous regions South Africa. A number of zebras live in nature reserves and also in zoos.
Zebras are classified as odd-toed ungulates because their body weight rests primarily on one third toe. The zebra's toes are protected by strong hooves.
The height at the withers of an adult zebra can reach from 1.2 to 1.4 m. Weight from 175 to 450 kg, tail length more than 50 cm. Each zebra has its own unique pattern on the skin, so any of them can be recognized even among hundreds of others. The skin of a zebra is very smooth, making the stripes appear painted on. The zebra's mane is hard and short, and is completely unlike a horse's, although these animals belong to the same family. Zebras are very curious, and this weakness often puts them in danger.
In the spring, after a 12-month pregnancy, a female zebra gives birth to one foal. Already 1 hour after birth he begins to walk. For the first few weeks, the foal feeds only on its mother's milk. The cubs spend the entire first year of life not only under the supervision of the mother, but also under the protection of the dominant male. The baby grows quickly, at the age of 2 he leaves his mother and begins to live in a herd.
Zebras have the best developed sense of smell, which allows them to sense danger in advance. But due to their rather weak vision, they cannot notice predators in time.
Zebras live in herds. There are 5-6 mares and their foals under the leadership of one male. The male fiercely guards his herd. The herd numbers 50-60 individuals, and sometimes hundreds. Zebras recognize their relatives and neighbors from other families by their voice, smell and stripe pattern. Black and white stripes play the role of a kind of “bar code” - a kind of identification card. In addition, such camouflage coloring makes the animal invisible in the savannah and confuses predators.
The zebra is a glutton, she eats great amount grass, leaves and bark. To “wash down” this dry food, the animal needs to get at least 8-10 liters of water per day. During a drought, this is not easy to do, especially since a predator may be waiting near a dry reservoir. In case of danger, the male sire does not hesitate to stand up for the foal in danger. At the same time, the head of the family kicks and kicks so that the predator can retreat.
Very often, a herd of zebras merges with herds of other animals, such as ostriches or wildebeest. This can be explained by the fact that animals, staying together, feel safer. For example, zebras and antelopes have an excellent sense of smell, and ostriches have good eyesight and long necks. Therefore, in the event of impending danger, these animals have a better chance of detecting the enemy in a timely manner and staying alive. Zebras sometimes live up to 28 years.
The most terrible enemy of zebras is the lion, which hunts them for their tasty meat. But in order to catch up with a zebra, which runs at a speed of 60-65 km/h, the lion has to spend all its strength. The caught victim tries to defend itself by kicking the enemy with both front and rear hooves.
Characteristic of horses, strong legs with strong hooves allow zebras to travel hundreds of kilometers in search of fresh pastures and reach speeds of 60 km/h over short distances. Their hooves are also powerful weapons in fights with predators and rivals.
Zebras are wild and vicious, they mercilessly bite and kick their enemies. No matter how much you tame them, it is very difficult to ride a striped horse.
Scientists have concluded that all modern horses were zebras in the past, but during the process of evolution they lost their black and white stripes.

Savannah or Burchelli zebra (Equus burchelli)

A herd of striped horses gallops across the African savannah; these are zebras. This report will introduce you to these animals and tell you a lot of interesting things about them.

Description of the animal

It's very easy to imagine a zebra. This is a black and white striped horse. Its color is very similar to the sea vest. It grows up to 1.3 meters in height, its body length is up to 2.5 meters, and this horse weighs 350 kg.

Interestingly, no two zebras are alike in all of Africa. Each color is unique, like fingerprints.

Where and how does a zebra live

Zebras live in herds of 6-10 individuals. There is only one male in each group, all the rest are females with foals.

Striped horses do not have a permanent residence. In search of new pastures and water they constantly moving from place to place. At the head of the herd is the oldest female, followed by other zebras, the procession is closed by the male, who protects the herd from dangers.

These African animals feed on grass, young growth of bushes, and leaves of the lower branches of trees.

The zebra grazes calmly in the company of other animals - buffalos, gazelles, giraffes and even ostriches.

IN wildlife The striped horse lives up to 30 years, in captivity - up to 45.

Reproduction

At the age of two years, a young female can already give birth to offspring. Zebras usually mate during the rainy season. The female's pregnancy lasts a year, most often one baby is born, very rarely - two.

Within half an hour, a newborn baby stands on his feet, and in just an hour he can run after his mother. The foal feeds on its mother's milk for up to a year, although already at the age of two months it calmly nibbles grass.

Natural enemies

Who attacks the zebra? Her main enemy is... The zebra is also attacked by other African predators - cheetahs, at a watering hole it is threatened by an alligator, and babies are often killed by hyenas.

Nature, in order to protect the zebra, awarded it with excellent eyesight and hearing. Moreover, the zebra very timid and cautious. When the herd is grazing or resting at a watering hole, one or two striped horses are on duty, carefully looking around and listening. At the slightest alarm, they give a signal and the entire herd runs away. Zebra jumps at a speed of 65 km/h, it meanders no worse, abruptly changing direction and not allowing the predator to grab it.

To protect foals, adult zebras rear, bite and kick.

Who knows what:

• African zebra can bark;
• pink zebra milk;
• never mounts a striped horse;
• The zebra cannot be domesticated, although it can live in captivity in zoos.