Did you know that Zebras are single-hoofed animals just like horses and donkeys?
They belong to the Equidae also known as the horse family. Although, zebras are native to the African continent, they have genes similar to other equids (horses and donkeys).
One major characteristic that separates them are their stripes. That’s not all, their stripes are unique and have different patterns, and some even have spots.
Horses and donkeys have been domesticated over the years, but Zebras are meant for the wild. Their temperaments vary in comparison to horses and are also far more dangerous.
On the occasion of International Zebra Day, here are some of the less known facts about Zebras:
A few scientists believe that the stripes keep zebras cooler. The dark stripes pull more sunlight while the white ones absorb cool wind. A few other researchers discovered that biting flies prevent striped patterns. The two theories may be linked: Biting flies avoid biting cooler zebras.
Kenyan and Ethiopian zebras, Grevy’s zebras are shaped more donkey-like and have huge round ears. These are named after the President of France. In 1882, Emperor of Ethiopia, Menelik II presented one as a gift to the President of France Jules Grevy, hence the name, Grevy.
Zebras cannot be domesticated. They have been in the wild and are very good at defending themselves. A zebra’s kick can break the jaw of a lion. They bite violently and possess a ducking reflex. They use the ducking reflex to prevent themselves getting caught in a lasso.
Zebras communicate differently. Mountain zebras can whine like horses, Grevy’s bray like donkeys and plain zebras can bark like dogs.
Zebras can breed with other equids but their offspring most often are sterile. The young one of a horse stallion and a zebra mare is called a zorse. Zedonks are the offspring of zebra stallion and donkey mares. Zonies are the result of a zebra and pony.
