Burchell's zebra

Description:

The patterns of their stripes differ from other species of zebras. Their stripes are especially wide becoming wider and more horizontal towards the flanks and rear of the body. The stripes on the neck to the forelimbs are vertical. Each individual's stripe pattern is unique and acts as an identifying characteristic similar to fingerprints in human beings. Males are slightly larger than females and usually have thicker necks as well. This sexual dimorphism is not profound, however. Newborn foals tend to have shaggy fur with brownish and buff stripes instead of black and white. One theory for this difference from adults suggests that zebras more easily recognize “dusty” individuals as zebras. Instead of newborn purely white and black foals, they are brownish so they are more easily identified as a zebra. The tails of Burchell’s zebras differ from other equids because they are short and end with a black tuff of hair.

Habitat:

They live prefer open grasslands, open woodlands, and open scrub environments. Occasionally, they may also inhabit taller grasslands, heavier woodland areas, and even hilly country and mountainous regions up to 4,400 meters in elevation. However, they avoid dense forests, deserts, and wetland areas.

Notes:

These zebras were grazing peacefully not far from the road. The young one in the first photo seemed surprised and perplexed by what was going on with its mother. The second young one seems to have survived an attack by a predator, given the scarring on its flanks and lack of a tail.