ZEBRA IN AFRICA 

This article is all about an animal in Africa called Zebra, naturaly well designed, smart and sensitive to the environment.

This animal is of many species in the horse family specially designed by nature with black and white shapes of lines stripes which distinguishes one from another. A beautiful wide horse that is social living in a small group to large groups that proved quite difficult to domestication is never like the horse that lives freely with human beings.

A thousand zebras run freely across the African grassland. Their striped flanks heave as their thickly manned necks rock to the rhythm of their powerful movements. The sound of their hooves pounding the parched earth rumbles across the plains. A cloud of red dust billows upward behind them and can be seen for miles. They run, free and wild, with no sense of restraint.

As if by some unseen signal, they begin to slow and then stop. With their strong, thick teeth, they tug at the dry grass. The herd is alert, occasionally looking up, listening, and smelling the air. Carried by the wind, the distant sound of a lion’s roar reaches their ears, and they tense. They know the sound well. With ears held high, grass hanging motionless from their mouths, the zebras look in the direction of the moaning cry. Sensing no immediate danger, they bend their necks again and continue grazing.

This special animal that is majorly found in Africa is of three classes:

1.      Plains zebra: This is a widespread animal with more than five majorly found in south and east of Africa. Among the splinted species of the Plain Zebra  are the dauw, Burchell's zebra, Chapman's zebra, Wahlberg's zebra, Selous' zebra, Grant's zebra, and Boehm's zebra, some of which have gone into extinction.

2.         Mountain zebra. This is the second type also known as Equus zebra mainly found in southern and western areas. These ones are coloured differently with white stripes on the abdomen

3.         Grévy's zebra:  This is type is the largest so far. It has a narrow head, in the shape of a mule. It is found the less arid region of Kenya and Ethiopia. This is getting scarce in Africa that is to say, soonest it would go into extinction.

THE REDUCTION IN NUMBERS:

Overall, plains zebras are numbered up to 720,000. In the past, there were many of them in African over 15,000 Grevy's zebras were found but now less than 2,500 is left. The same happens to other species concerning the decrease.

This great herbivorous animal lives in grasslands, savannas, thorny scrublands, woodlands, and coastal hills.

This animal is scared of heavy sunshine hence they take to their hid when the sun intensifies because they are allergic to the heat of the sun. Since more dehydration takes place resulting from the intensity of the sun, they quickly source water thereby going close to the river banks. At the same time watches out for an impending dangerous rival or hunter. Because of the unknown, they fear some potential hazard in the basin of water, the eagerness to drink depends on how tasty they are. With one last headlong thrust, they run to the river’s edge. One by one they drink their fill, then turn and head back onto the open plains.

As the sun sets, they gently move towards their abode. Silhouetted against the deep red glow of the setting sun and framed by the beauty of the African veld, they look magnificent.

THE LIFESTYLE

Zebras are all sociable animals no comparison so they are. Individual animals form strong bonds that can last a lifetime. Although a large herd may number several thousand animals, it is divided into many smaller family units that consist of a stallion and his mares. This small family unit maintains order by strictly separating its members by rank. The dominant female determines the family’s movements. She takes the lead, with the other mares and their foals following in single file according to rank. Ultimately, though, the stallion is in charge. If he wants his family to change course, he approaches the lead mare and nudges her in the new direction.

Zebras love to be groomed, and it is common to see them rubbing and nibbling at one another’s flanks, shoulders and backs. Mutual grooming seems to strengthen the bond between individual animals and starts when babies are only a few days old. If another member of the family is not available to do the grooming, the itchy zebras find relief by rolling in the dust or rubbing their bodies against a tree, termite mound, or other stationary objects.

As the day comes and goes, every activity of the animal go. They steadily look for daily bread and the water intake keeps them on the move. Grazing on the open plains, zebras look clean and fat, their striped skin stretched tight over their muscular bodies. The zebra’s stripes are unique, and as some claim, no two patterns are exactly alike. Their striking white and black stripes seem odd among the other animals of the plain. Yet, their appearance is appealing and belongs to the very wildness of Africa itself.

ZEBRA’S CONTINUED EXISTENCE

A zebra’s life is fraught with danger. Lions, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and crocodiles all consider the 550-pound [250 kg] animal fair game. A zebra can sprint up to 35 miles per hour [55 kph], but it is sometimes caught off guard by predators that use surprise and stealth. Lions wait in ambush, crocodiles lurk beneath muddy waters, and leopards lie in wait under the cover of darkness.

The zebras’ defences depend on upon the alertness and community action of members of the herd. While most sleep at night, there are always some that are awake, listening and keeping watch. If a zebra spots an approaching predator, it sounds an alarm snort that signals the whole herd. Often, when one member of the herd is sick or old and cannot keep up, the other zebras will deliberately slow down or wait until the slower animal can join the herd again. When danger threatens, the stallion fearlessly positions himself between the predator and the mares, biting and kicking at the enemy so as to give the herd time to escape.

Such family cohesion is illustrated by a remarkable incident that occurred on the Serengeti Plain in Africa. Relating how a pack of wild dogs began chasing a herd of zebras, he said that the dogs were able to isolate a female zebra, her young foal, and a yearling. As the rest of the zebra herd galloped away, the mother and yearling bravely fought off the dogs. Soon the dogs became more aggressive, and the mare and the yearling began to tire. The end seemed certain. it was recalled that the hopeless scene: Suddenly I felt the ground vibrating and, looking around, I saw, to my amazement, ten zebras fast approaching. A moment later this herd closed its ranks around the mother and her two offspring and then, wheeling around, the whole closely packed group galloped off in the direction from which the ten had come. The dogs chased them for 50 yards [50 m] or so but were unable to penetrate the herd and soon gave up.

Newborn foals are not born with the distinctive white and black stripes of their parents. Their stripes are reddish-brown and will only turn black with age. Within the larger herd, foals from various family groups gather together for play. They race and chase one another, kicking and running among the adults, who sometimes join them in play. Galloping on their spindly legs, the foals make a game out of chasing birds and other small animals. Baby zebras, with their long, slender legs, large black eyes, and lustrous, soft coats, are beautiful little animals and a delight to watch.

THE UNTAMED NATURE

Today large herds of zebras can still be seen running wild and free over the vast golden grasslands of Africa. It is a spectacular sight.

The fact remains that, the zebra with its unusual white and black lines pattern, fierce family loyalty, and wild and free spirit, is a majestic and wonderful creature is uncommon and attractive. Learning about such an animal answers a question that was posed thousands of years ago: “Who sent forth the zebra free?” (Job 39:5) The answer is clear. It is the Designer of all living creatures, Jehovah God.

THE EXISTENCE STYLE

Zebras are all sociable animals no assessment so they're. Person animals form strong bonds that may close an entire life. Despite the fact that a massive herd may number several thousand animals, its miles divided into many smaller family units that consist of a stallion and his mares. This small family unit maintains order via strictly keeping apart its individuals through rank. The dominant lady determines the circle of relative moves. She takes the lead, with the alternative mares and their foals following in single record consistent with rank. Ultimately, though, the stallion is in fee. If he desires his circle of relatives to exchange direction, the methods the lead mare and nudges her within the new path.

Zebras love to be groomed, and it's miles common to look them rubbing and nibbling at each other’s flanks, shoulders and backs. Mutual grooming seems to reinforce the bond between individual animals and starts off evolved while babies are only a few days antique. If every other family member is not available to do the grooming, the itchy zebras find alleviation via rolling inside the dirt or rubbing their bodies towards a tree, termite mound, or other stationary objects.

Because the day comes and goes, each activity of the animal move apart. They gradually look for each daily bread and the water consumption continues them on the flow. Grazing on the open plains, zebras look smooth and fats, their striped pores and skin stretched tight over their muscular bodies. The zebra’s stripes are specific, and as some declare, no patterns are precisely alike. Their placing white and black stripes seem bizarre a number of the other animals of the plain. yet, their look is appealing and belongs to the very wildness of Africa itself.

ZEBRA’S ENDURED LIFE

A zebra’s life is fraught with hazard. Lions, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and crocodiles all recall the 550-pound [250 kg] animal truthful sport. A zebra can dash as much as 35 miles according to hours [55 kph], but it's miles sometimes caught off defend by using predators that use surprise and stealth. Lions wait in ambush, crocodiles lurk underneath muddy waters, and leopards lie in wait below the cover of darkness.

The Zebras’ defences depend on upon the alertness and communal movement of individuals of the herd. at the same time as most sleep at night, there are constantly some which are awake, listening and keeping watch. If a zebra spots a drawing close predator, it sounds an alarm laugh that signals the entire herd. Regularly, when one member of the herd is unwell or vintage and can't hold up, the opposite zebras will deliberately sluggish down or wait until the slower animal can be part of the herd again. When hazard threatens, the stallion fearlessly positions himself between the predator and the mares, biting and kicking at the enemy on the way to give the herd time to get away.

Such family cohesion is illustrated by using a terrific incident that took place at the Serengeti Plain in Africa. Pertaining to how a % of untamed dogs began chasing a herd of zebras, he said that the dogs had been able to isolate a female zebra, her younger foal, and a yearling. because the rest of the zebra herd galloped away, the mother and yearling bravely fought off the puppies. soon the puppies became more competitive, and the mare and the yearling started to tire. The give up seemed certain. it becomes recalled that the hopeless scene: abruptly I felt the floor vibrating and, looking round, I noticed, to my amazement, ten zebras speedy drawing close. A second later this herd closed its ranks around the mother and her  offspring after which, wheeling around, the entire intently packed group galloped off inside the course from which the 10 had come. The puppies chased them for fifty yards [50 m] or so, however, have been not able to penetrate the herd and shortly gave up.

CHILDBEARING:

The woman zebra is protecting of her new child foal and initially maintains it from the opposite individuals of the herd. for the duration of this intimate duration of isolation, the little one is capable of bond with its mom. The young foal memorises the white and black striped sample this is precise to its mother. Thereafter, it's going to apprehend its mom’s call, fragrance, and striped pattern and could not accept any other lady.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

The not unusual plains zebra is about 1.2–1.three m (47–51 in) at the shoulder with a body starting from 2–2.6 m (6.6–eight.five ft) long with a zero.five m (20 in) tail. it could weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb), males being barely larger than girls. Grévy's zebra is drastically larger, at the same time as the mountain zebra is relatively smaller.

Newborn foals aren't born with the distinctive white and black stripes of their dad and mom. Their stripes are reddish-brown and could handiest turn black with age. inside the larger herd, foals from diverse own family companies accumulate collectively for play. They race and chase one another, kicking and walking some of the adults, who once in a while be part of them in play. Galloping on their spindly legs, the foals make a recreation out of chasing birds and other small animals. toddler zebras, with their lengthy, narrow legs, huge black eyes, and lustrous, smooth coats, are stunning little animals and a delight to observe.

THE UNTAMED NATURE

These days large herds of zebras can nevertheless be visible going for walks wild and unfastened over the sizeable golden grasslands of Africa. it's far an astonishing sight.

The truth remains that, the zebra with its uncommon white and black traces sample, the fierce circle of relative’s loyalty, and wild and loose spirit, is an impressive and amazing creature could be unique and appealing. Getting to know approximately such an animal answers a question that becomes posed thousands of years in the past: “Who sent forth the zebra loose?” the answer is clear. it is the designer of all residing creatures God Almighty.

REFERENCES:

Zebra. Online Etymology Dictionary. Archived from the original on 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2011-12-10.Ryder, O. A.; George, M. (1986).

Mitochondrial DNA evolution in the genus Equus (PDF). Molecular Biology and Evolution. 3 (6): 535–546.Waage, J. K. (1981).

How the zebra got its stripes: biting flies as selective agents in the evolution of zebra colouration. J. Entom. Soc. South Africa. 44: 351–358.

Knight, Kathryn (2012). How the Zebra Got Its Stripes. J Exp Biol. 215 (5): iii. doi:10.1242/jeb.070680.

Dell'Amore, Christine (2015-01-14).

Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? New Study Makes Temperature Connection. National Geographic. Archived from the original on 2015-01-29.