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Burchell's Zebra (Equus burchelli)

THE HERBIVORES AND OMNIVORES

This is the only species of zebra to be found in the Park. Black stripes completely circumvent the body, and definite light brown 'shadow-stripes' occur between the more bold black bands. These body markings are not in a set, invariable pattern. Each zebra's marking varies to a lesser or greater degree from the next and sometimes these pattern differences are quite striking.

Zebra have no horns. They are gregarious animals generally seen in groups of five to 30, grazing in association with wildebeest, though larger herds are often found. Although distributed throughout the Park, zebra are most abundant on the eastern plains, south of the Letaba River. They prefer open, savannah-type plains and about 25 000 zebra have been counted - making them one of the more abundant of the larger mammal species. Lions prey on them heavily, recently born zebra foals being especially susceptible to attack.

ZebraZebra occasionally give a very characteristic call, which is rather unusual and totally different from the braying or neighing of the donkeys or horses these animals superficially resemble. The call is almost bird-like, a high-pitched "quank-quank" repeated several times.

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