Chapman's zebra

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 the 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.

Description

Front view, Kruger Park, South Africa

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] 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

Social behaviour

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 do not breed seasonally, 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.

In captivity

Chapman's Zebra are often found alongside water bucks, giraffes and ostriches and other African animals in zoos and wildlife partks. They have been known to live up to 38 years in captivity, opposed to 20–30 in the wild.

References