Grevy's Zebra
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? Grevy's
Zebra Conservation status:
Endangered
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| Equus
grevyi Oustalet, 1882 |
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The Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi), sometimes known as the Imperial Zebra is a species of zebra. It is found in the wild in Kenya and Ethiopia and is considered endangered. Compared to other zebras, it is tall and has large ears, and its stripes are narrower. The species is named after Jules Grévy, a president of France who in the 1880s was given one by Abyssinia.
The Grevy's zebra differs from all other zebras in its primitive characteristics and different behaviour. It is placed within its own subgenus, Dolichohippus. Grevy's zebra is the largest wild equine. The strips are narrow and close-set, being broader on the neck, and they extend to the hooves. The belly and the area around the base of the tail lack stripes. With all of the stripes closer together and thinner than the most of the other zebra it is easier for a good escape and to hide from their predators. The ears are very large rounded and conical. the head is thick and ponderous. Juveniles have a mane extending the length of the back. Grevy's zebra occurs in scrubland and plains in Ethiopia and Somalia. The Grevy's zebra lives 10-25 years and eats grasses and other plants. Predators of Grevy's zebra include hunters and wild dogs native to the area. Grevy's zebras are currently on the endangered list of mammals. They live to be about nine feet tall and five hundred and twenty pounds. Most captive zebras (in zoos) are Grevy's zebras.
