Burchell’s Zebra

Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga), also known as plains and common zebra is the only African horse that is native to the Serengeti. Named after the 19th-century British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell, it has a sturdy build, a white to brownish coat with broad, black stripes over most of its body, and a tall, narrow mane running from its neck to its shoulders. It measures up to 2.5 metres from head to base of tail, and weighs up to 320 kilogrammes. Females and males are similar in appearance.

Serengeti National Park is home to the world’s largest population of plains Zebra

The different subspecies and populations of plains zebras are distinguished by their coat patterns, behaviour, and geographic range. Zebras differentiated from other modern horses about three to four million years ago. The plains zebra is the most common of the three extant zebra species. It is widespread in much of eastern and southern Africa, in all habitats with the exception of rain forests, deserts, and other extremely arid areas. Though the number of plains zebras is still estimated at over 500,000, populations have been declining in recent decades. In many countries, zebras are found only in protected areas. Serengeti National Park is home to the world’s largest population of plains zebra.

An essential characteristic of plains zebras is their migratory behaviour. Traveling along with huge herds of wildebeest and other antelope, they are part of the Great Migration, with zebras consuming the long grass that follows the rain and the wildebeest grazing largely on the juicy tips of the short grass. Their social groups include bachelor herds and harems that include one male (stallion) and up to six females (mares). The stallion defends his harem against male intruders and predators such as hyaenas and wild dogs. Mares produce one or occasionally two foal after a twelve month gestation. Female offspring are usually ready to reproduce after two and a half to four years, and males at about five years.

Zebras are highly social. They can often be seen grooming each other or standing together in pairs, mutually resting their heads on each other’s backs. Movements between pastures and sleeping grounds, and to water at midday, are peaks of social activity. Zebras prefer to spend nights on short pasture, relatively safe from ambush. They sleep standing up, with at least one herd member remaining alert against predators. Zebras are very vocal, especially when confronted by predators or when individuals are separated from their group.

Threats to Burchell’s and other plains zebras outside protected areas include hunting for their skins and sometimes their meat, competition with domestic livestock for forage, and disruptions to their migratory routes by human settlement and the fencing of farm and range land. In late 19th century South Africa, similar pressures led to the extinction of the quagga, another once abundant subspecies of the plains zebra.