What kind of animal is a zebra? Is it a social animal or a solitary animal?

Zebras are mostly distributed in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. They usually live in vast grasslands or savannas. Due to climate change in Africa, they need to migrate to other areas from time to time to find enough water and food sources. It is not difficult for us to understand whether zebras are social animals or solitary animals. Do you think so?

Contents of this article

1. What kind of animal is a zebra?

2. Are zebras social animals or solitary animals?

3. What is the function of a zebra’s tail?

What kind of animal is a zebra?

Zebras are a type of horse found in Africa. They are named for the protective stripes on their bodies, which are different for each individual. The species was named after a famous traveler and naturalist, and the first specimens sent to the British Museum came from South Africa. They have a horse-like appearance, without dewlaps, and are typically characterized by their black nose and straight mane around their necks. Males are slightly larger than females, and have a narrow dark stripe on their backs that runs from the top of their backs to the drooping mane tail, with females having a wider stripe.

Are zebras social or solitary animals?

When zebras gather together, large carnivores will not dare to attack them. Living in groups is a necessity for adapting to the environment. Zebras like to live in plains and grasslands. They like to live in groups, often in groups of 10-12, and sometimes mixed with other animal groups, such as wildebeests and even ostriches. Old male zebras occasionally move alone. They run very fast, up to 64 kilometers per hour. Zebras often drink water and rarely go far away from water sources. They also have a characteristic that even when food is scarce, they still look fat and have shiny fur.

What is the function of a zebra's tail?

1. It can keep the zebra balanced while running.

2. It can repel mosquitoes and flies in summer and cool down zebras.

3. Using the tail as a reference, you can distinguish the standards of excellent breeds.

4. Zebra tails are an integral part of reproduction and survival.

5. The zebra's tail can help it avoid enemies and protect itself.

The function of zebra stripes:

1. The zebra's stripes are actually a protective color, which plays a role in protecting itself. In the open desert or grassland, it is easy to expose itself and become food for some beasts. Therefore, the zebra's stripes can easily blur or disperse its body outline under the illumination of light. At a glance, the running zebra is almost the same as the surrounding environment, which is dazzling. Especially in the eyes of leopards or lions, the eyes are originally very white, so it is not easy to be discovered.

2. Studies have shown that zebra stripes can also prevent mosquito bites, distract the attention of mosquitoes and flies, and reduce their bites and the spread of diseases.

3. Now a new study has found that stripes can effectively help zebras control their body temperature. It even demonstrates a previously unknown mechanism for maintaining body temperature, which is very magical.