Burchell's Zebra

wildlife of Namibia

Introduction: Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) is a horse-like herbivore which was named after the well-known traveller and naturalist, W.J. Burchell. They inhabit savannah, from treeless grasslands to open woodlands. Zebras stay in family groups of a stallion, or male, and several mares, but different families will come together in huge herds of hundreds of zebras. They are distinguished from Hartmann's mountain zebra by:

The yellowish or greyish shadow stripes between the black on the hind quarters.
The lack of 'gridiron' pattern on the top of the hind quarters.
The absence of dewlap (the loose fold of skin hanging under the throat) .

Each zebra has an individual stripe pattern and with no two being alike. Herds will mingle with wildebeests, ostriches, and antelope while they graze, and even come to depend on them as additional protection against predators! The herd runs away at the pace of the slowest animal, followed by the herd stallion right at the back. Backwards kicking zebras can kill a lion.

Distribution: Zebras are the second most common animal in the Etosha National Park of Namibia with numbers estimated to be around 20,000. These animals can also be found in on farmland and parks throughout Namibia.

Diet: Zebras are predominantly grazers - grass, leaves, bark, roots and stems, but occasionally will browse and feed on herbs.

Colouring: The characteristic pelages of the zebra make them easily identifiable. The coat is broad black stripes on an off-white body, with shadow stripes superimposed on the off-white stripes. The stripes extend down the underparts. The mane is short, erect and bristle-like.

Breeding: A single foal can be born at any time of the year after a gestation period of between 360 to 390 days. The foal weighs between 30 and 35kg at birth. For future recognition the mare positions herself between the foal and the rest of the herd as it studies her stripes for future recognition. This is done straight after birth. High mortality rates within the first year are caused by lion and spotted hyena predation, disease and accidents.

Size: These animals stand up to 136cm and weigh between 290 and 340kg.

Wildlife Namibia