Plains zebra

Equus quagga

The plains zebra is an African equid easily recognizable by its distinctive black and white striped coat. It is the most widespread and abundant zebra species in southern and eastern Africa, forming spectacular herds in open savannas.

Near threatened (NT)

IUCN Red List, most recent assessment.

See all species

Overview Characteristics Habitat Behaviour Threats

Presentation

Its sturdy and compact body is covered with well-contrasted stripes extending across its entire frame. The stripes are generally more widely spaced than in other zebra species, and the mane is erect with black and white bands.

Characteristics

ClassMammalia

OrderPerissodactyla

FamilyEquidae

Size1.2 – 1.5 m at shoulder

Weight230 – 340 kg

Lifespan25 – 30 years (wild)

DietHerbivore

DomesticationWild

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

The plains zebra inhabits open savannas, grasslands and semi-arid herbaceous zones of southern, eastern and central Africa. It adapts to various types of herbaceous vegetation, provided water is accessible and forage resources are sufficient.

Savanna

ContinentAfrica

Present in TunisiaNo

CURRENT RANGE

Widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and East African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya. Residual populations also exist in Central Africa. The species is not present in Tunisia.

Behaviour

Plains zebras are social and gregarious animals living in stable herds led by a dominant stallion. They communicate through distinctive neighs, facial expressions and tail movements, and often form associations with other herbivores for improved predator vigilance.

Reproduction

The female plains zebra carries her young for approximately 13 months before giving birth to a single foal. Young are weaned after 7 to 13 months and remain closely bonded to their mother. Reproduction is not strictly seasonal, though birth peaks are observed following rainy periods.

Peculiarities

Each zebra's unique stripes act as a natural fingerprint. Unlike other equids, the plains zebra produces a distinctive call between a horse's whinny and a donkey's bray. Herds can form super-herds of several hundred individuals in resource-rich areas.

Threats and conservation

The plains zebra is not threatened with extinction in the short term due to its wide distribution and relatively stable populations. However, habitat loss from agricultural expansion, fences fragmenting migration territories, and predation by large carnivores remain ongoing challenges in some regions.

Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.