1. Grant’s Zebraalso known as the common or plains zebra Scientific name: Equus Burchelli By Danielle

3. Grevy’s zebra (endangered)

4. Mountain zebraGrant’s zebras are: Family : Equidae Order: Perissodactyla Class: Mammilia Phylum: Chordata Kingdom: Animalia

7. Habitat Grant’s zebra can be found from Ethiopia and Somalia, to northern South Africa. It is grassy and hot there. The zebra is a terrestrial animal. This means it lives on land. Grant’s zebra is not territorial. It likes to wander on a designated path, stopping for food and water. Zebras do not nest. Most zebras including Grant’s are not endangered. However, some rarer species are. Grevys zebra is one of the endangered species.

9. Physical Adaptations A plains zebras black and white stripes are one of it’s most noticeable features. However, they are not for show. A zebras stripes help it by: When zebras run together, their stripes blur together so it is hard for a predator to see individual zebras. On moonlit nights, it is hard to see the outline of a zebra because of the black and white pattern. This makes it harder for a predator to hunt the zebra at night. 2. Plains zebra have strong incisor teeth. This helps them eat tough grasses. Also, instead of having to rip the grass out to eat it, this adaptation allows them to just cut off the top layer exposing the softer grass below for other animals. Plains zebras have large ears and large eyes. Zebras have an excellent sense of: hearing eyesight smell They are always alert, and watching for predators. These adaptations help them know when a predator is coming.

10. Physical Adaptations Plains zebras have long legs and well developed hooves. This helps them: Be very fast runners. They can run from 35-50 mph for short distances. A zebras legs are also used to kick a predator, or other zebras if they get in a fight. A good kick can injure or kill a predator such as a lion. Plains zebras have: strong muscles large lungs So that they can run for long periods of time without tiring. This can help them when they are running away from a predator. It can also help them because they walk for many miles every day before stopping for food or water. 6. Plains zebra have a layer of fat under their skin. This helps them look fit and healthy even if they are not because lions prey on the weak.

11. Behavioral Adaptations Common zebras stay in herds of 15 to 10,000 . Their stripes blur together when they run making it hard for a predator to pick out a single member. Usually herds comprise mares and their foals, and one to two stallions, males. Usually there are about 15-20 per herd, but in the dry season several herds group together to search for water. Common zebras move almost constantly on established paths. Then they do not deplete their food source in one area. Common zebras run away from their predators unlike some animals which use camouflage. As I have said before, when zebras run together, their stripes blur. Common zebras can run 35- 50 mph for short distances. When common zebras are traveling, the pace is set by the slowest member of the herd. Old, young, and injured zebras cannot be separated from the herd, or they will be very vulnerable to predators. If a zebra gets separated from the herd, the stallion will go back and search for them. When being chased by a predator, the herd will surround the injured or weak as they run. The stallion will stay and fight the predator by kicking and hitting it.

12. Behavioral Adaptations 6. Common zebras have their own smile which looks like a barred teeth grimace. This helps prevent aggression between zebras. 7. Foals can walk 20 minutes after birth and can run after an hour. This adaptation is important because the herd needs to stay on the move to get food and water. 8. Common zebra will stay in herds with other species such as wildebeest and gazelle because lions prefer wildebeest over zebra. They are sacrificing their friends to save themselves. 9. Common zebras nibble each others skin to get off any loose hair and to strengthen their bonds. 10. Common zebras clean themselves by rolling in mud. Then when the mud dries, they will shake it off along with any loose hair or skin. The remaining dust acts as a barrier against heat, wind and insects.

14. Did You Know? Mares and foals in order of dominance lead the herd. The stallion follows behind to protect the herd when they are being chased by predators. Zebras use baying, snorting, barking, and whuffling noises along with facial expressions to communicate. (For example: ears flat back means trouble)