The Zebra
Even after seeing Lions and Leopards the Zebra is still one of my favorites. I believe this is a Burchell's Zebra. I got to see plenty while in South Africa a couple weeks ago.
Every Zebra's stripes are unique to that one animal just like finger prints to humans (same as Giraffe). Zebras are social animals and spend their time together in harems. I found them to be quite skittish when we stumbled upon a small herd (thank God for telephoto lenses!). They have quite an interesting social structure that is built upon a hierarchy of age with the oldest mares and the stallion's taking up the rear, while on the move, to with stand attacks and ward off predators.
After two years, colts will leave their harem to join bachelor groups. They come into heat a few days each month and look for a mare to mate with. Their is fierce rivalry between suitors and the harem master over the mating rights with the mares - this ensures that the most fittest stallion gets mating rights. This can go on for up to a year then the mare will bear the young and remain faithful.
Posts
