Zebra Facts, Reproduction and Life Cycles

The zebra is perhaps the most visually dazzling member of the family Equidae, a group that includes horses, asses, zebras, and multiple other species. Zebras are famous for their black and white stripes. While some may think the stripes are a camouflage against predators, they actually repel flies! And these stripes–are zebras white with black stripes, or vice versa? The truth is, zebras have black skin, so the stripes that overlay their skin are white. Read on to learn more about the amazing zebra.

Reproduction and Life Cycles

The Zebra is a relatively slow-developing mammal with females not being able to first breed until they are at least a few years old. After a gestation period that can last for between 10 months and a year, the female gives birth to a single foal that is born with its stripes and mane and also has a little patch of hair in the middle of its tummy. Zebra foals can stand within minutes of birth, which is vital to ensure that they are able to run away to escape from predators. They are able to begin eating grass after a week and are weaned by the time they are 11 months old. Young Zebras remain with their mother until they are mature at around three years old. At that time, the males leave their natal herd to join an all-male bachelor group, while females stay with their mothers. These bachelor groups begin to challenge the dominant stallions to try and take over the harem during the mating season.