Zebras are highly gregarious animals living in small family groups on the grasslands of Africa. The groups are led by one dominant male called a stallion. A pecking order (or dominance order) exists among the females in the group. The dominant female leads whilst the herd is travelling and the stallion guards the rear. The family group remains intact even when mobs meet for a mass migration.

Plains zebras commonly form mixed herds with antelopes and wildebeests. When the dry season comes, the herds migrate to greener pastures and return later in the year. These mixed herds also provide an extra degree of protection against any predators such as lions or hyenas. Zebras are courageous animals and often confront predators. Stallions will actively protect the young from attack, fighting with their legs, hooves and teeth. In some circumstances the mares may try to distract lions away from foals.

Zebras are always busy and alert. Their excellent hearing and vision helps them remain alert for predators. Zebras are very noisy animals as they communicate with each other. Mother zebras whinney when separated from their young, and they nicker to warn others of danger. When danger is near, zebras let out a yelping bark as they escape. This acts as an alarm to others.

Young males often leave the group to form bachelor packs. When individuals are strong and wise enough they challenge a mature stallion and attempt to abduct females in oestrous. Zebras are particularly active during dawn and dusk. They do not have much stamina and for this reason have not been domesticated.

Diet

Zebras are exclusive grazers, spending up to two-thirds of the day grazing. They eat grasses and vegetation like giraffes but digest it differently. Zebras have a simple, one-chambered stomach. They grind the grass thoroughly and have a special digestive process. Because they don¿t digest their food as well as animals such as cows, zebras have to spend much of the day and night eating, in order to digest enough plant material to keep healthy.

Adaptations

Their keen hearing, sight and smell allows them to sense far off danger when they are in their natural environment. Their stripes act as an effective camouflage in tall dry grass and scattered trees. It is also said that when a herd scatters in all directions the effects of the stripes makes it difficult to focus on a single individual. This is an advantage when preying lions and hyenas are nearby. Standing on tip-toe is another adaptation, which allows the zebra to run fast.