Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
Plains Zebra: Striped grazer of savannas and open grasslands.
| Scientific name | Equus quagga |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Punda milia |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Family | Equidae |
| Size | Male: 220-300 kg; Female: 175-225 kg |
How to identify
Distinct black and white stripes on the body, with wider and clearer stripes on the sides; stripes extend down the legs to the hooves; tail tip has long black hairs; large body size with shoulder height about 1.3-1.5 meters; stripes on the head are finer and denser on the face.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, open grasslands, shrublands, and areas near river valleys
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on various grasses, occasionally consuming leaves and tender shoots
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania (Masai Mara National Reserve), Botswana, Namibia, and others
How to spot it
Observe during early morning or late afternoon in open grasslands or near water sources, remain quiet to avoid disturbance, use telephoto lenses to capture stripe details.
Photography tips
Use natural lighting to highlight stripe contrast, capture group interactions and running dynamics, keep background simple to emphasize zebra stripes.
Threats
Habitat loss, overhunting, water scarcity, competition with livestock for resources
Similar species
Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi): larger body, finer and denser stripes, no stripes on the belly; Mountain zebra (Equus zebra): thicker stripes, distinctive white patches on the rump.
