International Zebra Day

Today is International Zebra Day!

Zebras are animals native to southern and eastern Africa. There are three species of zebra: Grevy's zebra, the mountain zebra, and the plains zebra. They live in grasslands, shrublands, and mountainous areas. They are primarily grazers, feeding on vegetation. However, they have been known to subsist on bark, fruit, leaves, and roots. 

Zebras are famous for their distinctive black-and-white striped coats. While they appear to be white with black stripes, zebras actually have black-colored skin. When they are born, they are brown and white, with the brown darkening with age. The reason zebras have these patterns is unknown, but there are theories: they could be a form of camouflage like a tiger's stripes, they confuse predators like lions trying to pick them out of herds, they somehow deter flies, or even as a way for zebras to identify each other. Much like fingerprints, every zebra's stripe pattern is unique.  

Zebras are social animals, but their exact behavior differs between the three species. Grevy's zebras tend to live alone or in loose herds. Male zebras of this species have territories that attract female zebras. The other two species tend to form harems consisting of one male and several female zebras.  

Zebras are mainly preyed on by lions, but they can also be the prey of cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs. However, lions are the primary threat. Zebras can defend themselves by biting or kicking, but their main defense against lions...is running. Zebras can run at speeds of up to 31 mph/50 kph. Lions are faster (46 mph/71 kph), but zebras counter this by being better at turning. They are more aggressive with smaller predators. 

Zebras have been immortalized in art all over the world, seen as beautiful and graceful. Various African peoples have many folktales to explain how the zebra got their iconic stripes. For example, the San people connect zebra stripes to rain and lightning.

So yeah, zebras are fascinating critters. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!