An introduction and background of the plains zebra

Genus Equus They can kick with their strong legs or bite too if they need to protect themselves. Some experts believe that the Zebra is able to see in color.

They found no evidence for subspecific differentiation based on morphological differences between southern populations of zebras, including the quagga. Modern plains zebra populations may have originated from southern Africa, and the quagga appears to be less divergent from neighbouring populations than the northernmost living population in northeastern Uganda.

Instead, the study supported a north-south genetic continuum for plains zebras, with the Ugandan population being the most distinct. Zebras from Namibia appear to be the closest genetically to the quagga. The stripes were boldest on the head and neck and became gradually fainter further down the body, blending with the reddish brown of the back and flanks, until disappearing along the back.

It appears to have had a high degree of polymorphismwith some having almost no stripes and others having patterns similar to the extinct southern population of Burchell's zebra, where the stripes covered most of the body except for the hind parts, legs and belly.

It had a standing mane with brown and white stripes. Five photographs of this specimen are known, taken between and Reinhold Raupioneer of the Quagga Projectclaimed that this is an optical illusion: Its skull was described as having a straight profile and a concave diastemaand as being relatively broad with a narrow occiput.

Some specimens also appeared to be intermediate between the two in striping, and the extant Burchell's zebra population still exhibits limited striping. It can therefore be concluded that the two subspecies graded morphologically into each other. Today, some stuffed specimens of quaggas and southern Burchell's zebra are so similar that they are impossible to definitely identify as either, since no location data was recorded.

The female specimens used in the study were larger than the males on average. It was a grazer, and its habitat range was restricted to the grasslands and arid interior scrubland of the Karoo region of South Africatoday forming parts of the provinces of Northern CapeEastern CapeWestern Cape and the Free State.

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The geographical range of the quagga does not appear to extend to the northward of the river Vaal. The animal was formerly extremely common within the colony; but, vanishing before the strides of civilisation, is now to be found in very limited numbers and on the borders only.

Beyond, on those sultry plains which are completely taken possession of by wild beasts, and may with strict propriety be termed the domains of savage nature, it occurs in interminable herds; and, although never intermixing with its more elegant congeners, it is almost invariably to be found ranging with the white-tailed gnu and with the ostrich, for the society of which bird especially it evinces the most singular predilection.

Moving slowly across the profile of the ocean-like horizon, uttering a shrill, barking neigh, of which its name forms a correct imitation, long files of quaggas continually remind the early traveller of a rival caravan on its march.

Bands of many hundreds are thus frequently seen doing their migration from the dreary and desolate plains of some portion of the interior, which has formed their secluded abode, seeking for those more luxuriant pastures where, during the summer months, various herbs thrust forth their leaves and flowers to form a green carpet, spangled with hues the most brilliant and diversified.

During the s, quaggas were used as harness animals for carriages in London, the males probably being gelded to mitigate their volatile nature.

A cryptic function for protection from predators stripes obscure the individual zebra in a herd and biting flies which are less attracted to striped objectsas well as various social functions, have been proposed for zebras in general.

Differences in hind quarter stripes may have aided species recognition during stampedes of mixed herds, so that members of one subspecies or species would follow its own kind.

It has also been evidence that the zebras developed striping patterns as thermoregulation to cool themselves down, and that the quagga lost them due to living in a cooler climate, [31] [32] although one problem with this is that the mountain zebra lives in similar environments and has a bold striping pattern.

The skins were traded or used locally. The quagga was probably vulnerable to extinction due to its limited distribution, and it may have competed with domestic livestock for forage.

The last population in the wild, in the Orange Free Statewas extirpated in the late s. He was only able to obtain a single male, which in desperation he bred with a female horse. This produced a female hybrid with zebra stripes on its back and legs. Lord Morton's mare was sold and was subsequently bred with a black stallion, resulting in offspring that again had zebra stripes.

An account of this was published in by the Royal Society. The earliest Dutch colonists in South Africa had already fantasized about this possibility, because their imported work horses did not perform very well in the extreme climate and regularly fell prey to the feared African horse sickness.

Inthe English naturalist Charles Hamilton Smith wrote that the quagga was 'unquestionably best calculated for domestication, both as regards strength and docility'. Only a few descriptions have been given of tame or domesticated quaggas in South Africa. In Europe, the only confirmed cases are two stallions driven in a phaeton by Joseph Wilfred Parkins, sheriff of London inand the quaggas and their hybrid offspring of London Zoo, which were used to pull a cart and transport vegetables from the market to the zoo.

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Nevertheless, the reveries continued long after the death of the last quagga in Inthe naturalist Henry Bryden wrote: The last captive quagga, a female in Amsterdam's Natura Artis Magistra zoo, lived there from 9 May until it died on 12 Augustbut its origin and cause of death are unclear.

Since locals used the term quagga to refer to all zebras, this may have led to the confusion. The extinction of the quagga was internationally accepted by the Convention for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish in Africa.

The last specimen was featured on a Dutch stamp in In addition, a mounted head and neck, a foot, seven complete skeletons, and samples of various tissues remain. To differentiate between the quagga and the zebras of the project, they refer to it as "Rau quaggas".

The first foal of the project was born in Once a sufficiently quagga-like population has been created, participants in the project plan to release them in the Western Cape.The most common species of Zebra found in Africa is the Plains/Burchell's Zebra.

Other species found are the very rare and endangered Cape Mountain Zebra; Hartmann's Zebra (a subspecies of mountain zebra) found mainly in Namibia; Grévy’s zebra, found mostly in Kenya.

Plains Zebra Facts | Common Zebras | Equus quagga

Plains Zebras Animals PowerPoint Templates And PowerPoint Backgrounds with all 3 slides: When you come to us, well ask you about the objective of your presentation, who your audience is and what you intend your audience to learn. Zebra Facts and Information Introduction to Zebra. Does the Zebra black with white stripes or white stripes with black?

You can argue that all day long. What isn’t controversial is that they belong to the horse population and that they have long tails.

The Zebra is found living in the grasslands, the plains, and in the savannas. They are. Download plains zebra stock photos. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors.

The most common species of Zebra is the Plains Burchell's Zebra. Other species are the rare Cape Mountain Zebra Hartmann's Zebra and the Grévy’s zebra. Introduction to Zebra's. Young Zebra in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Plains Zebra With Etosha Pan In The Background Grevy's Zebra Rear-view Zebra Taking A Leak Zebras In.

Review History Uneven distribution of enamel in the tooth crown of a Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) To increase transparency, PeerJ operates a system of 'optional signed reviews and history'.