Many Faces and Unique Patterns of Zebra

Zebras are unique for their stripes and behaviors making them popular animals in the world. They can be found in

savannas, grasslands, woodlands, mountains and coastal hills in Africa. Their stripes come in different patterns

unique to each individual. Zebras have never been truly domesticated like their closest relatives – the horses and

donkeys.

1. Quagga (Equus quagga quagga)

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The Quagga is a subspecies of Plains Zebra that is distinct from other zebras for its very unique color and stripes.

But sad to say, this species is already extinct. They were once found in great numbers in Cape Province in South

Africa. The name comes from a Khoikhoi word for zebra. The only Quagga to have ever been photographed alive

was a mare at the Zoological Society of London’s Zoo in Regent’s Park in 1870.

2. Buchell’s Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii)

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The Burchell’s Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra, is the most common type of zebrid mammal with a black,

dark brown and white coloring. The purpose of the presence of black and white stripes is to confuse their

predators from far away.

3. Zonkey (Equus zebra x Equus asinus)

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The very rare and unique-looking Zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey. Zonkey is not the technically

correct name for such a cross. The most commonly accepted terms are Zebrinny, Zebrula, and Zedonk. Like

Mules, they are genetically unable to breed, due to an odd number of chromosomes disrupting meiosis. A Zonkey

is also commonly known as Zebrass, Zebronkey, Zeass, Zeedonk, Zedonk, Zebadonk, Zenkey, Donbra, Donbri

and Deebra. Whew, that’s quite many common names.

4. Grant Zebra (Equus hybrid)

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The Grant’s Zebra is the smallest of the Plains Zebra. It can be found in Zambia, Tanzania Ethiopia, Somalia and

Democratic Republic of Congo. This northern subspecies is striped with black on a white coat on its head, neck,

flanks, haunches and whole of the limbs down to the hoofs. Shadow stripes are absent or only poorly expressed.

The stripes, as well as the innerspaces, are broad and well defined. Northerly specimens may lack a mane.

5. Zorse (Equus zebra x Equus caballus)

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The unusual and rare Zorse is the offspring of a zebra stallion and a horse mare. The offspring of a zebra mare

and horse stallion is rarer and is called a horbra or hebra. This hybrid is sterile, like most other hybrids, it cannot

go on to reproduce young. The Zorse is a strong animal with traces from both its parents. Zorses are bred in

Africa and used for trekking on Mount Kenya. It is also called Zebrula.

6. Mountain’s Zebra (Equus zebra)

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The cute-looking Mountain Zebra is a threatened species endemic to south-western Angola, Namibia and South

Africa. Mountain Zebra has two subspecies – the Cape Mountain Zebra and the Hartmann’s Mountain. It has black

and white or dark brown and white stripes and no two individuals look exactly alike. Its stripes cover its whole body

except for its belly. The Mountain zebra also has a dewlap

7. Crawshay’s Zebra (Equus quagga crawshayi)

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The Crawshay’s Zebra with distinct red-brown markings on its face is a subspecies of the Plains Zebra. It is

endemic to eastern Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. This zebra species can be distinguished from other

subspecies of plains zebras in that its lower incisors lack an infundibulum.

8. Plain Zebra (Equus quagga)

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The Plains Zebra is the most common and geographically widespread zebra from Ethiopia to Angola and South

Africa. Its number had decrease due to hunting for its meat and hide and encroachment on its habitat. It is also

known as the Common Zebra.

9. Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra)

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The grass-eater and handsome-looking Cape Mountain Zebra is another subspecies of Mountain Zebra. It can

be found in South Africa. Its main food is grass but if little food is left they will eat bushes. Its black stripes

dominate the white ones.

10. Grevvy Zebra (Equus grevyi)

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The Grevy’s Zebra of Kenya and Ethiopia is the largest species of zebra. It is also sometimes known as the

Imperial zebra. Some of its distinct traits from other zebras include the ff; it is tall, has large ears and its stripes

are narrower. Grevy’s Zebra was the first zebra to be discovered by the Europeans and was used by the ancient

Romans in circuses. It is the largest of all wild equines and measures 8-9 feet long from head to tail and stands

4’7’-5’3 high at the shoulder. This species can weigh up to 450 kg or 90 pounds.

11. Hartman’s Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae)

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Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra is uniquely colored and does not appear as a typical zebra with black and white

stripe. It can be found in far south-western Angola and western Namibia. This zebra subspecies prefers to live

in small groups of 7-12 individuals. It is an agile climber and is able to live in arid conditions and steep

mountainous country.

12. Albino Zebra

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The Zebra Albino is an absolute head-turner for having a very distinct color that’s so different from typical zebras

with black and white stripes. An albino Zebra is extremely a very rare occurrence.

Hope you enjoyed this. Thank you!

See also

Amazingly Unique Facts about Animals