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Fact 2 - The stripes of zebras come
in different patterns which are unique to each individual
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Fact 3 - There are three species of
zebra: the plains zebra, Grévy's zebra and the mountain zebra
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Fact 4 - The mountain zebra (Equus,
or Asinus zebra) is nearly white, and the bands which cover the
body and legs are glossy black. Its tail has a tuft of black
hair at the tip. It inhabits the mountains of Central and
Southern Africa, and is noted for its wariness and wildness, as
well as for its swiftness
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Fact 5 - The second species (Equus,
or Asinus, Burchellii), known as Burchell's zebra or the Plains
inhabits the grassy plains of South Africa, and differs from the
true or mountain zebra in not having dark bands on the legs,
while those on the body are more irregular. It has a long tail,
covered with long white flowing hair.
- Fact 6 - Grevy's Zebra (Equus
grevyi), also known as the Imperial Zebra, is the largest
species of zebra. It is found in the wild in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Compared to other zebras, it is tall, has large ears, and its
stripes are narrower
- Fact 7 - Unlike their closest
relatives,
horses and
asses, zebras have never been truly domesticated.
- Fact 8 - Grevy's zebra and the
mountain zebra are
endangered species
- Fact 9 - The name "zebra" comes
from the Old Portuguese word zevra which means "wild ass".
- Fact 10 - Zebra stripes are
typically vertical on the head, neck, forequarters, and main
body, with horizontal stripes at the rear and on the legs
- Fact 11 - Zebras walk, trot, canter
and gallop although they are generally slower than horses
- Fact 12 - All of the senses of
zebras are extremely sharp
- Fact 13 - Mountain and Plains
zebras live in groups, known as 'harems', consisting of one
stallion with up to six mares and their foals
- Fact 14 - Zebras sleep standing up
- Fact 15 - Zebras eat grasses,
shrubs, herbs, twigs, leaves and bark
- Fact 16 - Grevy's Zebras are named
after the French President Jules Grevy, as in 1882 he was the
first person to receive a specimen from the emperor of
Abyssmania (Ethiopia)
- Fact 17 - The height of zebras
varies from 4 to 5 feet and length between 7 to 9 feet
- Fact 18 - The black and white
stripes on zebras serve the purpose of camouflage
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