Crawshay’s Zebra
(E.b. Crawshaii)
- Height 122cm at shoulder
- Weight 270 – 317kg
- Breeding No regular season
- Gestation 12 months
- Longevity 20 Years, twice as long in captivity
The Zebra found in the South Luangwa National Park is an endemic sub-species of Burchell’s Zebra (Equus Burchellii) called Crawshay’s Zebra.
In Zambia the Burchell’s Zebra is characterised by having an evenly
spaced dark and light stripe whereas Zebras to the south and in East
Africa have broad light stripes on their flanks with a faint shadow
stripe in between. Their mane is upright and striped to match their
neck. The tail is also striped with a dark tassel. The stripes of
a Zebra are as individual as a human fingerprint.
Zebras are avid grazers, in constant search of green pastures. In the dry season they can live on coarse, dry grass only if they are within a short distance (usually no farther than 20 miles away) of water holes.
Usually found in small herds of 15; the Zebras will be led by dominant stallions.
Zebras are prey for lions and hyenas, and to a lesser extent for wild dogs and leopards. When a family group is attacked, the members form a semicircle, face the predator and watch it, ready to bite or strike should the attack continue. If one of the family is injured the rest will often encircle it to protect it from further attack.
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