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By Nancy Shefferly
Geographic Range
The Grevy's zebra is found in southeastern Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
Habitat
Grevy's zebra inhabits dry desert regions and open grasslands.
Terrestrial Biomes:
desert or dune 
; savanna or grassland .
Physical Description
(891 lbs)
Grevy's zebra is 1350mm tall at the shoulder and 1250 -1500 mm high at the withers. It has distinctive striping pattern, with black stripes separated by narrow white bands. Stipes continue down the legs to the hooves. There is a distinctive chevron pattern on the hind quarters. The belly is white or ash gray. The head and neck of this species are robust.
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Grevy's zebras reach puberty at about four years of age. Females experience a 2-9 day estrus period every 19-33 days. During their estrus, they are recptive to mating for 2-3 days. Gestation requires about 390 days. A single young is typically born in August or September, but mating and births can occur year round. The newborn zebra first stands at 6-14 minutes. It is able to walk within a half an hour of birth, and can run for short distances by the time is is 45 minutes old.
Newly born zebras apparently undergo a critical period of imprinting during which they must learn who their mother is. Since the young zebra will follow anything that moves, new mothers are very aggressive toward other mares for the first few hours after they give birth. This aggression prevents the foal from accidently imprinting upon another female. The young nurse for 275 days.
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
Unlike other zebra species, Grevy's zebras do not form permanent herds, and social bonds between any two adult animals seem to be temporary as well. Most adults live in social groups, either of stallions, of mares with their dependent foals, or in mixed sex groups.
Some males are solitary and territorial. Unlike territorial males in other species, Grevy's males are tolerant of other males who enter their territories. However, the non-resident males do not attempt to breed with females, nor do they interfere with the breeding male's activities.
The territories held by male Grevy's zebras are among the largest known for herbivores. The territories range in size from 2.7 to 10.2 square kilometers.
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
These zebras eat a variety of grasses and other plants.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The Grevy's zebra has been used by native peoples for food and for its beautiful hide.
Conservation Status
Grevy's zebra is of special concern for conservationists. It is listed as CITES appendix I, and is considered endangered by IUCN.
Other Comments
This species is the largest of the zebras. It may live up to 18 years in the wild, and captive animals have lived to a ripe age of 30 years old. These animals require less water and are less cold tolerant than other zebra species.
The striped hide of the zebra may function as a sort of camoflauge. It may help to break up the outline of the zebra, especially when the animal is viewed through the twigs and branches of bushes. Motionless zebra are nearly invisible to the human eye at night (from 5 -15 meters away, depending on the lighting conditions.)
Contributors
Nancy Shefferly (author), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
