| Chapman's Zebra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Equidae |
| Genus: | Equus |
| Subgenus: | Hippotigris |
| Species: | E. quagga |
| Subspecies: | E. q. chapmani |
| Trinomial name | |
| Equus quagga chapmani Layard, 1865 |
|
Chapman's Zebra (Equus quagga chapmani) is a subspecies of Plains Zebra.
They, like their relatives, are native to the savannah of north-east South Africa, north to Zimbabwe, west into Botswana, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, and southern Angola.[1] The Chapman's zebra eats mainly grass and occasionally shrubs. They are currently at low risk status on the endangered species list, but like all other animals are at risk because of habitat destruction and illegal poaching.
Chapman's Zebra is distinguished by stripes on the lower halves of the legs, which break up into many irregular brown spots. The pastern is not completely black on the lower half.[2]The species and subspecies of Zebras. When foals are born they have brown stripes and in some cases adults do not develop the black colouration in their fur and keep their brown stripes. Males usually weigh 600-800 pounds and stand at 48"-52" tall. Females approximately weigh 500-700 pounds and stand as tall as the males
Chapman’s Zebras live in herds of up to tens of thousands of individuals which are made up of family groups and bachelors. Adult zebras live in harems with permanent members; consisting of 1 herd stallion, 1 to 6 females and their offspring. The females stay in the same harems all their lives. Chapman’s Zebras are non-territorial and in the wet season move over large areas, often associated with other ungulate species, but in the dry season will stay within a 10 km range of water. Chapman’s Zebras don’t seasonal breed although a lot of births occur in the rainy season. One foal is born after 11 – 13 months weighing 40 – 50 kg. The foals suckle for up to 12 months, but they are able to graze from 2 weeks old. As well as the Chapman’s Zebra, Marwell also has two other Zebra species, the Grevy’s (Equus grevyi) and Hartman’s (Equus zebra hartmannae) Zebra, both of which are vulnerable in the wild. A forth member of the Zebra species, quagga, has been extinct since 1875. []]
IN CAPTIVITY:
Chapman's Zebra are often found alongside water buck, giraffe and ostrich along with others of their African counterparts they have been known to live up to 38 years in Captivity opposed to 20-30 in the wild