Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Plains Zebra

Equus quagga

MammaliaGrassland, savanna and open woodland with reliable waterNear Threatened

Field profile

The plains zebra is the most abundant and widespread zebra, living in family groups of a stallion, several mares and their foals. It grazes coarse grasses that other herbivores leave behind, and undertakes long seasonal movements in some populations. Stripe patterns are individually distinct and vary geographically.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-04-28

Plains Zebra

Zebra stripes appear to repel biting flies

The best-supported explanation for zebra stripes is not camouflage or predator confusion. Field experiments show that horseflies approach striped surfaces as readily as plain ones but fail to land properly on them.

Read with evidence →

Plains Zebra | Daily Animal Facts