Zebras

The zebra is closely related to the donkey and the horse. They look very similar, except for the striking colors of the zebra. The zebra has very distinctive white stripes on a dark background. The dark color can be either black or dark brown. No two zebras have the same stripe pattern. The stripes on the zebra can help the zebra get away from its predators. The zebra runs very fast, going as fast as 40 mph in no time at all. This quick speed enables the zebra to escape from predators easily.

Zebras live together in groups of up to 17. The stallions, or the males, stand at the back of the group to protect the young and the old zebras from predators. The dominant female leads the group. The zebras roam around looking for food. They are nomads. They eat grasses and stay close to water so that they have a water supply. A zebra can live to be up to 45 years old.

Zebras are most active in the early morning and in the late afternoon. They spend half of their waking hours eating. Zebras are hunted for their striking skins. They are also endangered because more and more of their grazing land is being replaced with farming land.