About
The plains zebra (Equus quagga) is widely distributed from eastern to southern Africa and lives near water in grasslands and savannas up to 4,300 m in elevation. It is a large-bodied horse with stripes that extend to the belly, and there is considerable individual variation. A grazer that feeds mainly on stems and leaf sheaths, it helps maintain grassland ecosystems through large-scale migrations and group foraging. Its social structure is based on harems consisting of one male and multiple females, and breeding occurs year-round, with births concentrated in the rainy season. Population numbers are declining and it is assessed as Near Threatened.
