Habitat: African Plains
Status: Low risk
DAK Locale: Kilimanjaro Safari
The Plains zebra, also known as the common zebra, are, well, the most common species of zebra. They are located in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa. There they eat mostly grasses but will consume any available vegetation. Generally, they are smaller than other zebra species, the Mountain and Grevy's.
When one sees a zebra, the first thing one notices is, of course, the stripes. No one is quite sure why the animal has stripes. The most widely accepted theory is confusion. When a herd of striped zebras are running across the savanna, it may be difficult for a lion or hyena to distinguish when one animal begins and the other ends, making it difficult for the predator to get a "bead on" the prey. Another theory is that the stripes help regulate body temperature of the animal.
In the wild, zebras will mix freely with other hoofed stock such as wildebeests. The more animals that are together the more likely a lion will be spotted. A herd consists mostly of one male and numerous breeding females and their young. Here, at the Animal Kingdom, the herd is all female. The mares, or females, have a social structure within the group, with an alpha female leading the group. When a new female enters the herd, they are usually met with aggression and need protection from the male. Other harem-less males will attempt to steal females from herds leading to fighting.
Generally, the plains zebra population is stable world wide, although in some areas there has been a significant decline. There are threats from hunting for the hide and meat. In other areas, farming has encroached on the habitat. Recent civil wars in countries such as Rwanda and the Sudan, have local decreases.
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