Where does the plains zebra live?
The plains zebra is the most common and widespread zebra. It lives across much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara, from South Sudan and southern Ethiopia to Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi, then in most southern African countries. It generally lives in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, but can be found in varied habitats. It avoids desert, dense rainforest and permanent wetlands.
What does the plains zebra eat?
The plains zebra is highly social: it forms harems with a single stallion, several mares and their recent offspring, and young males also gather in bachelor groups. Several groups may come together as herds. Depending on the population, herds stay in place or migrate. When migrating, zebras seem to rely on their memory of where foraging conditions were best. They are preyed on by lions and spotted hyenas.
Is the plains zebra endangered?
It is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Once abundant and widespread over a large area of sub-Saharan Africa, it moved in 2016 from Least Concern to Near Threatened. Do not confuse it with the quagga, an extinct subspecies.
