Our Chapman’s zebras were one of the very first zoo animals to arrive on the zoo.
Chapman’s zebra are one of three different zebra species. This species can be found in eastern and southern Africa, mainly in Zimbabwe. Zebras are very sociable animals, and they form small groups called harems containing one male and up to six females. Occasionally, they gather in larger groups containing thousands of individuals, particularly during migration when they travel to find fresh grazing.
Latin name
Equus quagga chapmani
Class
Mammalia
Order
Perissodactyla
Family
Equidae
Conservation status
Least concern
Impress your friends with everything you know about Zebras!
They are herbivores so they like nothing better than munching on grasses and shrubs.
Zebras can live up to 20 years in the wild and up to almost 40 years in zoos.
They have a neat little trick, they like to roll around in the dust and rub their body and head against trees and rocks to help maintain their coats.
One idea is that it helps them hide from predators. When they’re in a large herd it is difficult for the hunter to make out one zebra’s outline from another.
The gestation period, or length of pregnancy, of a zebra is 12 months. The newly born foal is kept away from other zebras for several days until the mother is happy it will always recognise her by her look, sound and smell.
