This has led to them being classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. As a deterrent to this, a male zebra will alert his harem using a high-pitched snort, this signals that it’s time to make a hasty retreat, often in a zig-zag fashion and accompanied by a hind-leg kick.Īpart from predation, the main threat to plains zebra is hunting for both their meat and their hide. Plains zebra are hunted by lion, leopards, cheetahs and sometimes hyena. This means that plains zebra can spend up to 18 hours a day eating. As they are hindgut fermenters, zebras are less choosy over the vegetation or browse that they eat, but they do have to eat more of it. Plains zebra feed on a variety of grasses, approximately 92% of their diet, and are generally the first grazers to be found on newly vegetated areas. Discover unique Plains Zebra Photography with EyeEm Find curated visual collections with millions of royalty-free pictures from outstanding photographers. Find high-quality stock photos that you wont find anywhere else. The reason behind these striping patterns is unknown although it’s theorised they could be for camouflage, to prevent attacks by biting insects or for thermoregulation. Search from 11070 Plains Zebra stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. The plains zebra can be distinguished by its “shadow” striping between each of their main stripes. Population numbers of Plains Zebra in each range state in IUCN Red List. The striping patterns of zebra are not only different between each sub-species but are also unique to each individual. Plains zebra can be found in savannah and savannah woodland areas ranging from southern Ethiopia, through east Africa and onto southern African countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. These groups come together to form much larger herds, or dazzles, during migration periods. Bachelor groups of young males are also not uncommon. They are very social animals living in a harem group where a single male is associated with several females and their recent offspring. Plains zebras primarily graze on grass, herbs, leaves, and twigs. The stripes near their neck and forelimbs are more vertical and continue into their mane. Plains zebras are a mid-sized zebra, reaching a length of approximately 2.5m and a weight of 400kg. Plains zebras have broader stripes than other zebra species, and their stripes become even broader and more horizontal toward their flank and rear. Zebras are related to horses and they both belong to the same animal family.