As we mentioned earlier, the black and white stripes of a zebra happen to be one of the various... Layer of Fat and Thin Fur Coat. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Zebras, along with horses and donkeys, belong to the Equidae family of kingdom Animalia. Why don't libraries smell like bookstores? 5. long legs let them run fast away from predators\. Discussed below are these very adaptations of zebra species in detail which will help you understand how this seemingly harmless species survives its predators in the wild. Zebras have a layer of fat under their skin which makes them look fit and healthy. Their long legs and highly developed hooves play an important role in making them the fast runners that they are. Size, marking patterns and skills vary slightly to reflect the evolution of each type of zebra within its unique habitat. The most important behavioral adaptation of zebras is concerning their herd behavior. ). Zebras are herbivorous animals with a diet comprised of thick grass and tough grass stems. The striped color pattern of this animal is likely to reflect over 70% of incoming heat, thus helping the Mountain zebra escape overheating under the scorching sun of Africa. For zebras, their color pattern, speed, herd behavior, acute senses and other such behavioral and physical adaptations act as a key to survival. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Mountain zebras often dig for water in the ground. As we mentioned earlier, predators have the tendency to target weakest of the lot. The diet of the Mountain Zebra consists of tufted grass, bark, leaves, fruit and roots. At the same time, the thin layer of fur on their body doesn’t just save them from insects in these grasslands, but also makes sure that they remain cool in scorching environment which happens to be a characteristic trait of the zebra habitat – owing to its proximity to the equator. The pattern of a zebra’s distinctive black-and-white stripes differs from individual to individual. All these adaptations have a crucial role to play when it comes to survival of this animal. The three species of zebras on the planet include the plains zebra (. At the same time, their strong muscles and large lungs help them cover great distances without getting tired. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1. stripes- camouflage. What is the hink-pink for blue green moray? The thick layer of fat in their body makes zebras look fit and healthy. If you are 13 years old when were you born? Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. What is the rising action of faith love and dr lazaro? These stripes also make it difficult for nocturnal predators to create an outline of zebras, and protect them from possible predation. As far as their stripes are concerned, mountain zebras have white bellies with narrower stripes (as compared to plains zebras). If it does detect some threat, it warns others by snorting loudly. Mountain zebras are found on mountain slopes, open grasslands, woodlands, and areas with sufficient vegetation, but their preferred habitat is mountainous terrain, especially escarpment with a diversity of grass species. Plains zebras are adapted to grassy habitats, while Grevy’s zebras can survive in arid regions; mountain zebras must climb well to survive in mountainous habitats. Zebras are known to have a powerful kick which can even kill a hyena or cheetah, and leave species like African lion seriously injured. These grasslands are also home to carnivorous animals like the lion, cheetah, hyena, wild dogs, etc., with whom the zebra shares a predator-prey relationship. An evaluation of various adaptations of the queen angelfish that help this harmless species survive in the dark depths of the marine biome - with several predators, each more fierce…. Ano ang Imahinasyong guhit na naghahati sa daigdig sa magkaibang araw? The three species of zebras on the planet include the plains zebra (Equus quagga), the Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) and the mountain zebra (Equus zebra). Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In these open plains, the predators have an edge as it is very easy for them to spot their prey. In addition, the zebra is nimble enough to evade predators or to kick them at close range. What is the time signature of the song Atin Cu Pung Singsing? Even though zebras are found in woodlands and on mountain slopes (especially the two sub-species of mountain zebra), their primary habitat spans across the vast open grasslands of savanna. Zebras are social animals that tend to stay together in large groups, such as a herd of almost 1,000 animals, as a way to protect themselves against predators. are a zebra's adaptations: This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. All Rights Reserved. These animals have adapted well to life in these regions, particularly when it comes to defending themselves from predators such as big cats. Mountains zebra’s heads are relatively short and striped with a dark muzzle. At the same time, the thin layer of fur on their body doesn’t just save them from insects in these grasslands, but also makes sure that they remain cool in scorching environment which happens to be a characteristic trait of the. The striped markings make it difficult for predators to target individual zebras in a large herd. All three species feature black-and-white stripes, long, slender legs and strong incisor teeth. Zebras have legs that are long and slender but very strong, enabling the zebra to run up to 40 miles per hour to... Teeth. More importantly, zebras have a single stomach and the ability to resort to hind-gut fermentation which makes it possible for them to collect a decent amount of forage in their body within a time frame of 24 hours. 3. their white fur reflects the sunlight The striped coat of these mammals is believed to act as camouflage, confusing predators, particularly when the animal is in long grass. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Within this massive herd, there are family groups that can consist of five to 20 animals. 4. thin fur keep them cool. The zebra's strong... Stripes. As we... Herd Behavior. These cookies do not store any personal information. When predators attack a herd of animals, they generally attack the weakest of the lot.