Mountain Zebra

Mountain Zebra

Mountain zebra

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Family
Genus
Subgenus
SPECIES
Equus zebra
Population size
9,000
Life Span
20-30 yrs
Top speed
64 km/h
Weight
204-372 kg
Height
1.2-1.5 m
Length
2-2.6 m

The mountain zebra (Equus zebra ) is a zebra species in the family Equidae, native to southwestern Africa. There are two subspecies, the Cape mountain zebra (E. z. zebra ) found in South Africa and Hartmann's mountain zebra (E. z. hartmannae ) found in south-western Angola and Namibia.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Fo

Folivore

Gr

Graminivore

Te

Terrestrial

Cu

Cursorial

Pr

Precocial

Gr

Grazing

Br

Browsing

Zo

Zoochory

Co

Congregatory

Vi

Viviparous

Po

Polygyny

So

Social

He

Herding

Do

Dominance hierarchy

Al

Altitudinal Migrant

M

starts with

Bl

Black And White Animals
(collection)

Appearance

The Mountain zebra is truly a symbol of Africa. The species is so-called due to its amazing climbing ability, allowing it to easily take over steep, rugged surfaces. This ungulate has developed considerably tougher and more pointed hooves than these of other equine species. This is one of the best-known are easily recognizable species of the horse family. The body of this animal is covered with black and white stripes. The mane is short and straight. Another distinctive characteristic of this species is ‘grid iron’, narrow stripes, running through its rump. Additionally, the Mountain zebras possess so-called 'dewlap" - a thin piece of skin on their throat. The dewlap is more conspicuous in males.

Distribution

Geography

The Mountain zebras are represented by two sub-species. These are Cape mountain zebras, inhabiting South Africa; and Hartmann's mountain zebra subspecies, occurring in scattered parts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. As the common name of the species suggests, Mountain zebras prefer living on mountainous slopes and plateaus. Meanwhile, the Cape mountain zebra subspecies are found at heights of up to 2,000 m above sea level. During the cold winter months, they migrate to lower elevations. Hartmann’s mountain zebras, on the other hand, constantly move between mountains and salt flats.

Mountain Zebra habitat map
Mountain Zebra habitat map
Mountain Zebra
Attribution-ShareAlike License

Habits and Lifestyle

Mountain zebras lead a diurnal lifestyle, being active by day and sleeping by night. They exhibit increased activity at dawn and dusk. Nearly half of their active time is spent feeding. In addition, they take dust baths 1-2 times per day. Mountain zebras are gregarious creatures, forming small herds, typically harems, consisting of a single mature male as well as 1-5 mature females with their offspring. This species never occurs in large herds. Male zebras are called stallions and females are known as mares. The stallion dominates, defends, and leads the herd. Two or more herds occasionally gather in temporary units of up to 30 animals. With the onset of the winter, herds may travel up to 20 km (12.4 mi) to find a water supply. They can water at both day and night, although in areas with excessive hunting, they usually water during the night.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Mountain zebras maintain a herbivorous (graminivorous, folivorous) diet, which is generally composed of grass. In times of shortage, they browse, eating bark, twigs, leaves, buds, fruit, and roots.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round
PREGNANCY DURATION
1 year
BABY CARRYING
1 foal
INDEPENDENT AGE
13-37 months
FEMALE NAME
mare
MALE NAME
stallion
BABY NAME
foal, colt

Mountain zebras have a polygynous mating system. They form small breeding herds, in which the dominant male mates with the females of the herd. Although they may breed at any time of the year, Cape mountain zebras generally do so in December-January, while Hartmann’s mountain zebras breed between November and April. Females produce offspring at intervals of 1-3 years. The gestation period lasts for as long as 1 year, yielding a single foal. Weaning occurs at 10 months old. Then, between 13 and 37 months old, foals leave their natal herd. Female Mountain zebras start to produce offspring from 3-6 years of age and are able to do so until they are 24 years old.

Population

Population threats

Threats to the population of this vulnerable species are many. Thus, the Mountain zebras presently suffer from hunting and persecution throughout their range. These animals are facing the loss of their natural habitat, as a result of agricultural development. On the other hand, they are threatened by competition for resources with domestic livestock. And finally, the two Mountain zebra subspecies are potentially threatened by interbreeding and resulting fusion.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population of Mountain zebras is estimated at around 9,000 mature individuals. The current total population size of the Cape mountain zebra subspecies is 1,500 individuals (500 mature individuals). On the other hand, the population of Hartmann’s mountain zebra subspecies is estimated at around 25,000 animals, 8,300 of which are mature individuals. Overall, Mountain zebras are currently classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are increasing.

Ecological niche

Due to their habit of grazing, Mountain zebras are likely to be important seed dispersers of the plants they consume. Moreover, they are believed to generate habitats for smaller animals such as mesopredators through grazing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • These mammals exhibit amazing climbing abilities, taking over steep, rugged terrains with more confidence than the plains zebras.
  • Zebras see well both day and night. Moreover, they possess binocular vision in the front. Additionally, these ungulates are thought to see in color.
  • The well-developed sense of taste allows them to feel even slight changes in the quality of their food.
  • The striped color pattern of this animal is likely to reflect over 70% of incoming heat, thus helping the Mountain zebra escape overheating under the scorching sun of Africa.
  • The striped coat of these mammals is believed to act as camouflage, confusing predators, particularly when the animal is in the long grass. According to a recent study, zebras have developed this type of coloration in order to get rid of biting insects, whose visual systems don't perceive a monochrome pattern.
  • Each of these ungulates has its own unique stripe pattern, which helps identify individuals, acting as human fingerprints. For example, babies are able to recognize their mothers by a specific stripe pattern. Additionally, the Mountain zebras recognize each other by unique calls and odors.

References

1. Mountain Zebra Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_zebra
2. Mountain Zebra on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/7960/0

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