Damara Zebra

scientific name

equus burchelli antiquorum

size

Weight: 640-750 lbs.
Height at shoulder: 47"-55"

characteristics

Color: black and white or yellowish striped with
shadow stripes, unstriped belly and lower legs
- Short bristle-like mane

behavior

Group: harem 1 stallion with 2-6 mares and young - mares associate with 1 stallion for life - mares hierarchy in order of acquisition by stallion - bachelors singly or in bachelor herd - perform social grooming, scrapping and nibbling neck, shoulders & back - oldest mare leads family with stallion at rear to protect and direct - herd adjusts pace to sick or crippled members
Associations: gregarious, form large herds in several hundreds often with wildebeest, antelope and ostriches
Speed: up to 40 mi./hr
Alarm signal: yelping bark

reproduction/life span

Lifespan: over 20 yrs;
Sexual maturity: 2.5-3 yrs, males may not form harems until 6 yrs or more - stallion steals filly newly in estrus from father's herd, may be stolen again until impregnated - subsequent estrus after birth of first foal not as obvious
Mating: only harem stallion mates - pregnancies can occur once a year but usually at 2
or 3 yrs.
Gestation: ~370 days
Young: usually one, mother keeps rest of herd away several days until foal imprints
on her.

diet

Wild: savanna grasses, occasionally browse leaves, bark, roots and stems - graze singly at night for about 1 hr at a time - water during day
Zoo: grass hay - assorted browse

habitat/range

Savannah grasslands of eastern Africa - home range 11 mi. sq. - 232 mi. sq. - may cover 10 mi./day

status

not listed

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Savanna