Zebra Facts

Closely related to horses and donkeys, the zebra (subgenuses Hippotigris and Dolichohippus) is best known for its black and white striped body. In fact, zebra stripe patterns are unique to each individual. These stripes are believed to be camouflage devices that help zebras hide well in the grass.

Fast Facts

Height: 3.5-5 feet at shoulders.
Length: 7-9 feet.
Weight: 440-990 lbs.
Lifespan: 20-25 years.

Unlike horses, zebras have manes that are short and erect, as well as tails that have tufts of hair at the end. They also have great eyesight and hearing, as well as an acute sense of taste and smell. Their powerful hind legs are effective in warding off or injuring any predators or other animals they see as threats.

There are three species of zebra -- plains zebra, which is also known as the common zebra (Equus qugga), Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) and mountain zebra (Equus zebra). There are a number of subspecies of plains zebra. There are also two subspecies of mountain zebra-- cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) and Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannea). The Grevy's zebra is the largest of the three species.

Did You Know?

To answer the age-old question, zebras are actually dark-colored - or, "black with white stripes"!

Diet

Zebras are herbivorous and primarily eat a variety of grasses. They are also known to eat shrubs, herbs, twigs, leaves and bark.

Population

Overall, plains zebras number at around 750,000. Historically, there were over 15,000 Grevy's zebras. However, there are only about 2,500 remaining today. There are 600-700 cape mountain zebras and around 800-1300 Hartmann's mountain zebras in the wild.

Range

Plains zebra are found on the savannas from Sudan to northern Zimbabwe in eastern Africa. Grevy's zebras are now mostly restricted to parts of northern Kenya. Mountain zebras occur in southwestern Africa with cape mountain zebras in South Africa and Hartmann's mountain zebras in Namibia and Angola. See a zebra range map >>

Behavior

Zebras as very social animals and live in large groups called 'harems.' Plains and mountain zebras live in harems that are made up of one stallion and up to six mares and their young, while Grevy's zebras come together as groups for short periods of time. Sometimes herds come together to form temporary groups of up to 30 members. Zebras sleep standing up, and only when they are in groups that can warn them of danger. If they spot a predator, they will bark or whinny loudly to warn the others in the group.

Did You Know?

There are three living species of zebra, and seven living subspecies. Of them all, the plains zebra is the most familiar.

Reproduction

Mating Season: Year round and based on species.
Gestation: 12-13 months.
Litter size: 1 foal.
Zebra foals are born with brown and white stripes as opposed to black and white stripes. Mares generally keep all other zebras away for 2-3 days until her foal recognizes her by sight, voice and smell.

Climate Change and Other Threats

The zebra's biggest threats are habitat loss due to ranching and farming and competition for water with livestock. They are also hunted for their skins.

In the range of the Grevy’s zebra, where survival of young is linked to the availability of forage, climate change is exacerbating droughts on already-degraded rangeland. Droughts also force the animals to congregate at remaining water sources, increasing the incidence of disease transmission.

Legal Status/Protection

Endangered Species Act (ESA): The mountain zebra is listed as endangered. Both the Grevy's zebra and the Hartmann's mountain zebra are listed as threatened.
IUCN Red List: Grevy's zebra is listed as endangered, and the mountain zebra is listed as vulnerable.
CITES: Grevy's zebra and the Cape mountain zebra are listed in Appendix I, the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra in Appendix II.
Learn more about legal status and protection of zebras >>

How You Can Help

Help zebras and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.

For additional information

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More Fact Sheets

Diet
Population
Range
Behavior
Climate Change & Threats
Legal Status/Protection
How You Can Help
Additional Information

Range Map

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Threat Status

Endangered Species Act

IUCN Red List

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Endangered Species Act - Categories

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the mountain zebra is listed as endangered, meaning it is in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Both the Grevy's zebra and the Hartmann's mountain zebra are listed as threatened, which means they are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.¹

IUCN Red List :: Status

IUCN Red List: The Grevy's zebra is listed as endangered, meaning its probability of extinction during the next 20 years is greater than 20%. The mountain zebra is listed as vulnerable, meaning probability of its extinction during the next 20 years is at least 10%.²

CITES: Appendix Status

The Grevy's zebra and the Cape mountain zebra are listed in Appendix I, which means it cannot be traded commercially, while the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra in Appendix II, which means it can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.³

¹The Endangered Species Act requires the US federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.

² The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. The IUCN Species Programme working with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) has for more than four decades been assessing the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties, and even selected subpopulations on a global scale in order to highlight taxa threatened with extinction, and therefore promote their conservation.

³Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.