Fun Facts

There are three species of zebras: Grevy’s, mountain, and plains. Grant’s zebras are the smallest of the six subspecies of plains zebras, and the smallest zebra species overall.

Each zebra species and subspecies have different striping patterns. Each individual zebra also has its own striping pattern. Recent studies show zebra stripes are not used for confusing predators as once believed, but actually for warding off insects as well as the African heat.

Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes? It depends on how you look at it! While most zebras appear to have a white base coat with black striping, their skin is actually solid black. Additionally, all their hair grows from follicles containing pigment-generating cells, and in their white hair, those cells are just deactivated.

Zebras have excellent hearing and night vision and can see as well as owls in the dark. They can run up to 35 mph, and foals can walk 20 minutes after birth and gallop within an hour!

Zebroids (zebra hybrids) were originally bred in Africa in the 1800s to use for farm work. The zebra parents contributed heat, disease, and pest resistance as well as greater strength and endurance. With patience, they can be trained to do anything domestic horses or donkeys can do. However, zebroids should never be considered truly domesticated, as they retain the aggression and unpredictability of their zebra parents.