zebra

Black and white striped member of the horse genus Equus found in Africa; the stripes serve as camouflage or dazzle and confuse predators. It is about 1.5 m/5 ft high at the shoulder, with a stout body and a short, thick mane. Zebras live in family groups and herds on mountains and plains, and can run at up to 60 kph/40 mph. Males are usually solitary.

The mountain zebra E. zebra was once common in Cape Colony and Natal and still survives in parts of South Africa and Angola. It has long ears and is silvery-white with black or dark-brown markings. Grevy's zebra E. grevyi, at 1.6 m and 450 kg, is the largest member of the horse family. It has finer and clearer markings than the mountain zebra and inhabits Ethiopia and Somalia. Whereas other zebra species have a harem system, Grevy's males defend territories that females pass through to graze. The species is classified as endangered. Burchell's or the common zebra E. burchelli is medium in size, has white ears, a long mane, and a full tail; it roams the plains north of the Orange River in South Africa.