Attempts at domesticating these animals have been made, but are largely unsuccessful. In comparison to horses , zebras are very flighty. They are unpredictable, and can be quite aggressive, and will panic in stressful conditions. Zebras do not make good pets for the average person. They require much more handling and desensitization than the average horse , and can be more temperamental.
Only the most experienced handler should care for zebras. In human care, zebras must be provided with lots of space for exercise, though fencing should be sturdy and secure to prevent escapes.
They should also have access to fresh grass for easy grazing. They should also be supplemented with hay, and given fresh vegetables as treats. They must be kept in herds, because they are social creatures.
Zebras are highly social creatures and different species have different social structures. In some species, one stallion guards a harem of females, while other species remain in groups, but do not form strong social bonds. They can frequently change herd structure, and will change companions every few months. Female zebras can have one calf per year. Their gestation period is around — days long, depending on the species. The mother will protect her calf, and it can stand, walk, and run shortly after birth.
And their most famous feature? Their brilliant black-and-white striped coat , of course! Their teeth are well adapted for grazing, with sharp incisors at the front of their mouth to bite the grass, and large molars at the back for crushing and grinding. They may team up with other grazers on their travels, too, such as antelope and wildebeest. Stallions fight for females with piercing bites and powerful kicks that are strong enough to cause serious damage — and sometimes even kill!
When under threat, these awesome animals form a semi-circle facing the attacker, and prepare to strike if need be. Even the position of their ears can signal their feelings, according to the San Diego Zoo. For example, ears flattened back means trouble. Another habit of zebras is mutual grooming, which they do to strengthen their bonds with each other. Known predators of zebras include lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. When danger approaches, the stallion will alert the others with a high-pitched snort, according to the University of Michigan.
He will stand his ground while the rest of the family runs away in zigzag fashion. If he must fight, he will lower his head with neck outstretched and teeth bared, prepared to bite. However, running away is the usual tactic, sometimes accompanied by a defensive kick.
The kick can be powerful, though, and can cause serious injury to a predator. Zebras eat mostly grass and will travel up to 1, miles in search of food, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. Some zebras also eat leaves and twigs.
Female zebras carry their young for a gestation period of 12 to 14 months. Baby zebras are called foals. When they are born, foals weigh around 55 to 88 pounds 25 to 40 kg , according to the San Diego Zoo. Soon after birth, foals are able to stand up and walk. The young zebra gets its nutrition from its mother's milk and will continue to nurse throughout its first year.
Zebras become fully mature at 3 to 6 years old and will have a lifespan of around 25 years. Some experts say that there are three species of zebras — Grevy's zebra, plains zebra and mountain zebra — and that Hartmann's zebra is a subspecies of mountain zebra.
Other experts say Hartmann's zebra is a separate species. Likewise, the IUCN says a study of 17 plains zebra populations that represented five of the six subspecies found very little differentiation among them and concludes that the subspecies splits may be arbitrary.
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