Burchell’s zebra is found in rich grasslands over much of eastern and southern Africa; Grevy’s zebra of arid, sparsely wooded areas in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia; and the mountain zebra of dry upland plains in South West Africa / Namibia and a few scattered areas in western South Africa.

Zebras live in small family groups consisting of a stallion and several mares with their foals. In grevy’s zebra the mares may form separate groups from the stallions. Under good food conditions, small groups may coalesce into large herds, but the smaller groups retain their identities. Zebras often form mixed herds with antelopes, such as wildebeest, which gain protection from predators by the alertness of the Zebras. Herds may migrate long distances to find suitable grasses on which to feed.

The birthing peak occurs during the early rain months. Mares that are in healthy condition can give birth during the next peak of the birthing season, other birth every two years.

Grevy's Zebra

Grevy's have a longer gestation period of about 13 months. Their birthing occurs during the rainy season and so does their mating. They usually produce young in two year intervals.

Zebras, when alarmed, produce a  snorting sound and gasp with their mouth open. When they are captured or injured  by a predator they sound a squeal. They neigh similar to horses while browsing and grazing.

Zebras are horse-like animals, standing about 120 to 140 centimetres (47 to 55 inches) at the shoulder. By the pattern of their stripes, the species are easily distinguishable. In the burchell’s zebra these are individually wide and widely spread; some races have lighter “shadow stripes” between the main stripes. The northern races of this species are more fully striped than the southern ones, in which the striping of the lower legs tends to give way to white.

The stripes of the grevy’s zebra are narrow and closely spaced, and the belly is white. The mountain zebra is small and has a peculiar grid like pattern of stripes on the rump.