Stripes of zebras are like fingerprints. They are different for each zebra, and they are white with black stripes, not the other way around. Male Grevy's zebras are highly territorial. They mark their territory with heaps of dung, called middens, and defend their territory from other males. Male Grevy's zebras maintain the largest known territory of all the ungulates, 10 sq kilometers. Grevy's zebras are predominantly grazers. They focus mainly on grass, although they eat leaves from shrubs. These leaves can make up to 30% of a zebra's diet. Lactating females need to drink water every other day. Otherwise, Grevy's zebras can go up to 5 days without water.
Description
Grevy's zebras have large heads, erect manes, and round ears. They have narrow, concentric stripes as well as a thick black line that goes down their spine. These stripes are set very close together and are vertical until the hindquarters begin; the stripes are horizontal down their legs. Their bellies are white, without stripes. Their manes stand straight up and are striped with the white and black colors on their bodies.
Status in the Wild
Grevy's zebras are threatened by land degradation, which reduces the resources available to them. Females may have to travel long distances to find water, which can be fatal to foals who cannot keep up or are malnourished by poor milk (caused by their mother's lack of water). Mares may not go into estrus, either, if their body condition is too poor, which can be a result of reduced resources. They also have to compete with domestic animals at waterholes.
Conservation Programs
Adopt a Grevy's Zebra