The Plains Zebra By: Sophia S. Dewar
Class: Miss Hultenius
December 5, 2012
Introduction
Have you ever heard of a zebra? If you haven’t then
you’re in for a very big treat. A zebra is a mammal and it is also
a part of the horse family. The zebra mostly is expecting a life
span of 20 years maximum because of its unique adaptations.
Adaptations
#1
Habitat
The plains zebra has adapted well to life on the
African Savanna, especially when trying to defend themselves
from predators such as lions.
# 2 Legs
Zebras have very long, slender, and strong legs.
With these legs it enables the zebra to run up to 40 miles per
hour. The zebra is also nimble enough to evade predators.
These legs have hooves at the bottom of each leg, now these
hooves let the zebra kick their predator. This kick is able to
injure or even kill a predator as big as a lion.
#3
Teeth
The plains zebra is an herbivore with a diet of thick
grass and leaves from short trees. The plains zebra’s strong
upper teeth and lower teeth are very special adaptations that
help the plains zebra break down their food. The back teeth are
designed for grinding their food. The front teeth are designed
to pull the grass free from stalks. Zebras also make friends by
grooming each other with their teeth. With these teeth they
can also inflict powerful bites.
#4
Stripes
Each plains zebra has black or white stripes but each
is a little different. As the zebras run it creates a little “blur”
making it harder for a predator to attack an individual zebra.
Another theory on why zebras have stripes is because it may
help regulate the zebra’s body temperature.
If the plains zebra didn’t have these adaptations
they would probably die because they can’t defend themselves
from predators such as lions. I’m just glad they are not an
endangered species.
Habitat
Plains zebras are located in the south of
Ethiopia, through East Africa, as far south as Angola, and parts
of eastern South Africa. You can also find plains zebras in
Southern and Eastern Africa. In countries such as Namibia,
Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and in Mozambique. They can inhabit
savannas, open woodlands, and forest areas.
Appearance
The plains zebra is mid-sized, has a thick body, and
short legs compared to the other two zebras. The adults both
female and male can stand 3.6 to 4.8 feet tall. They can also be
6.6 to 8.2 feet long. Adding to that they can have an 18 to 20
inch tail. The adult plains zebras can weigh 390 to 850 pounds.
The males are usually 10% heavier then the female zebras.
The plains zebra will mostly have a Y shape in stripes
in the midsection of its body. Between the dark, solid stripes
are beautiful shadow stripes. The mane begins at the forehead
between their eye level and their ears, and it runs down to the
end of their neck. The eyes of the plains zebra are on the sides
of the zebra. This position helps the zebra see predators in all
directions all at one time.
Diet
The plains zebra eats leaves, shoots, shrubs, herbs,
twigs, and a little bit of flowering plants, but most of all the
plains zebra grazes on grass. The plains zebra eats 92% of
grass, 5%herbs, and 2% shrubs. These animals are very
nomadic moving from one watering hole to another. These
zebras will usually be found only within 25-30 kilometers from
a watering hole.
Something Special
Predators
The plains zebra’s major predators are lions and
spotted hyenas. The Nile crocodiles are also a great threat to
these zebras during migratory river crossings. Some wild dogs,
cheetahs, and leopards mostly focus on getting the foals. Olive
Baboons also may prey on the foals but do no harm to the
adults. The plains zebra mostly tries to outrun predators like
lions and spotted hyenas, but otherwise they often just chase
or scare smaller predators.
Communication
The plains zebra has six different calls. They make a
high-pitched call when they want to contact the herd. When
plains zebras see a predator they make a two-syllable alarm
call. When zebras are content they will make a more drawn out
snort. The males will make a short high-pitched squeal when
they are hurt, and foals will emit a drawn out wail. When
zebras greet each other their ears stick up and face forward.
When threatened their ears go down.
Senses
The plains zebra has awesome eyesight. Believe it or
not the plains zebra can see in color, it also has night vision.
These zebras also have great hearing skills. They have large,
round ears, and can actually turn their ears in about every
direction. In addition plains zebras have an acute sense of taste
and smell.
Conclusion
As you can see the plains zebra is a very interesting and
fascinating creature. If the plains zebra did not have these
incredible features it would probably die. At least these
animals adapted and still exist.
Glossary
1. Mammal – Warm blooded animal
2. Predators – Animals that can eat you
3. Slender – Skinny
4. Enables – Lets
5. Nimble – Quick
6. Evade – Get away from
7. Inflict – Give
8. Theory – Idea
9. Regulate – Control
10. Inhabit – Live in
11. Flowering – A blossom turning into a flower
12. Nomadic – Moving place to place
13. Contact – Communicate with
14. Content – Happy
15. Drawn-out – Long
16. Emit – Make a sound, or a sound coming out
17. Migratory – Move around
18. Wail – Cry
19. Features – Characteristics of an animal
20. Mane-The hair that goes down the neck of a horse or zebra
21. Communication-How they talk they can communicate
22. Camouflage-How it hides
23. Acute-very good
24. Stalks- stem
Bibliography
Websites
#1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plains_Zebra
#2. http://www.ehow.com/info_8561920_threeadaptations-zebra.html
#3. http://www.theanimalspot.com/plainszebra.htm
#4. http://www.ehow.com/about_6321428_plainszebra.html
#5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebras
Books
#1. ZEBRAS By: Lynn M. Stone (published 1990)
#2. LARGE HERBIVORES By: Pat Morris and Amy-Jane
Beer (published 2003)