Grevy’s Zebra

About This Animal

Grevy’s zebras are the largest type of zebra, standing 4–5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing 770–950 pounds. They have thicker stripes than other zebra species, numbering approximately 80 in total. These zebras have good eyesight and their teeth are specially adapted to chew tough grasses.

Most zebra species live in herds, but Grevy’s zebras tend to be solitary and territorial. They do not create typical herds although females and their offspring may gather.

Female zebras have the longest gestation period of any member of the horse family, at 390 days. They leave their loose mare-offspring groupings to give birth in heavy brush, rejoining their temporary “herds” after several days. Foals are independent around nine months.

Fewer than 2,000 mature individuals reside within a small, fractured range, making Grevy’s zebras the world’s most threatened zebra species. They are affected by habitat loss, competition with livestock over land and water resources, disease transmission, hunting, and other issues.