By Peter Ruddle

QUICK FACTS

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

The origin of this African equine (horse’s) name is somewhat unclear. It comes from the Italian name “zebra,” possibly through Portuguese, which referred to an extinct type of wild ass around 1600. The term is believed to have Congolese roots.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES

How many zebra species occur in Africa? You might have heard about many different zebras – mountain zebra, Burchell’s Zebra, quagga, and more. In fact, there are only three species of zebra recognized by modern science, however, two of them have several subspecies. Here is your short guide to them:  

ZEBRA SUBSPECIES EXPLAINED

Grevy’s or Imperial Zebra (Equus grevyi)

• Description

The largest of the zebra species, it has distinct mule-like ears and narrow stripes that end at the belly. A notable white patch on the rump, split by a black stripe down the back, sets it apart.

• Distribution

Kenya and Ethiopia. 

• Hunting Opportunities

Classified as endangered and may not be hunted. 

• Origin of the Name 

Named after French President Jules Grevy (1807-1891), the Grevy’s Zebra received its name when a specimen was gifted to him by the Abyssinian Emperor in 1880. Also called the Imperial Zebra, the name likely reflects the Emperor’s role in this gesture.

Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra)

• Description

This Zebra lacks shadow stripes, with its stripes extending down to the hooves. It features a small dewlap on the throat and an orange-coloured muzzle. The Cape Mountain Zebra is smaller and has narrower rump stripes compared to the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, distinguishing the two subspecies.

• Distribution

Originally found in the mountains of South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape provinces, this species has been introduced to a few properties in the Northern Cape and Free State provinces. First spotted near Swellendam, close to Cape Town, it once faced near extinction. Now, it is protected in the Mountain Zebra National Park and is also present in several other parks and private land. 

• Hunting Opportunities

May be hunted in South Africa but requires a CITES II export permit is required to import into the USA and an Annex B export permit to Europe.

• Origin of the Name

Named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) in 1758. 

Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae)

• Description

This Zebra lacks shadow stripes, with its stripes extending down to the hooves. It features a hand-sized dewlap on the throat and an orange-coloured muzzle. The Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra is larger and has broader rump stripes compared to the Cape Mountain Zebra, distinguishing the two subspecies.

• Distribution

This species was endemic to the mountainous regions of Namibia but has been introduced to some game reaches in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. 

• Hunting Opportunities

Mostly hunted in western Namibia and the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. A CITES II export permit is needed to import into the USA and an Annex B export permit to Europe.

• Origin of the Name

Named by Paul Matschie in 1898 after Dr George Hartmann (1865-1945), a German soldier, geographer, explorer and politician.

Burchell’s Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii)

• Description

Photos from the late 1800s depict this zebra as a blend of the extinct Quagga and the Damara Zebra. It had faint shadow stripes and almost no leg stripes, leaving its legs mostly white.

• Distribution

Originally found in the Northern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa, as well as southwestern Botswana and southern Namibia. 

• Hunting Opportunities

Today, correctly speaking many Plains Zebras subspecies in Southern Africa are mistakenly identified as Burchell’s Zebra.

• Origin of the Name

Named in 1824 by William John Burchell. Burchell was an English explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist, and author.

Chapman’s Zebra (Equus quagga chapmani)

• Description

Chapman’s Zebra is the northernmost of the Plains Zebras, featuring shadow stripes and leg markings, though not as prominent as those of some northern and eastern zebras.

• Distribution

Originally found in southern Zambia, south-western Angola, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, northeastern Botswana, central and southern Zimbabwe, northern South Africa, and southern Mozambique.

• Hunting Opportunities

Chapman’s Zebra can currently be hunted in southern Zambia, Zambezi province (formerly Caprivi) in Namibia, northern Botswana, the border area between Botswana and Zimbabwe, and the Limpopo Valley in Zimbabwe.

• Origin of the Name

Named after James Chapman (1831-1872), a hunter and explorer who travelled with artist Thomas Baines during an exploration of the Zambezi region from 1860 to 1864.

Chawshay’s Zebra (Equus quagga crawshaii)

• Description

Crawshay’s Zebra closely resembles Grant’s (Boehm’s) Zebra, but it is distinguished by its narrow striping, lack of shadow stripes, and stripes extending all the way to the hooves.

• Distribution

Crawshay’s zebra were historically found in northern Mozambique, eastern Zambia, and the extreme southern region of Tanzania.

• Hunting Opportunities

Crawshay’s Zebra is primarily hunted in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley.

• Origin of the Name

Named after Captain Richard Crawshay (1862-1958), who provided a specimen to the British Museum.

Damara Zebra (Equus quagga antiquorum)

• Description

The Damara Zebra is a well-known southern subspecies, characterised by a brownish colour between its shadow stripes and faint, almost white striping on its legs.

• Distribution

This subspecies was historically found in central and southern Angola, northern Namibia, and northeastern South Africa.

• Hunting Opportunities

The Damara Zebra is the most frequently hunted zebra in northern Namibia and South Africa.

• Origin of the Name

Named after the Damaraland region of Namibia.

Grant’s (Boehm’s) Zebra (Equus quagga boehmi)

• Description

Grant’s Zebra is the smallest subspecies of Plains Zebra, known for its distinct stripes without shadow stripes, which extend down to the hooves.

• Distribution

Their distribution ranges from northern Zambia through the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C) and East Africa to southern Ethiopia. It is the most abundant zebra and is famous for its role in the great migration across the Serengeti Plains.

• Hunting Opportunities

Primarily hunted in Tanzania and Mozambique’s Niassa province, where it is also known as Boehm’s Zebra.

• Origin of the Name

Named after Lt. Col. James Augustus Grant (1827-1892), a Scottish explorer who accompanied John Hanning Speke in the quest to find the Nile’s source.

Maneless Zebra (Equus quagga borensis)

• Description

Most similar to a Grant’s Zebra except for its unusual half-mane. 

• Distribution

Originally found in the border regions of South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and the D.R.C. 

• Hunting Opportunities

They occur in the Karamoja area of Uganda but may not be hunted.

• Origin of the Name

Named by Axel Johan Einar Lönnberg (1865-1942), in 1921. 

Quagga

• Description (Equus quagga quagga)

An extinct species that scientists are trying to selectively breed using DNA from a museum specimen.  

• Distribution

Occurred in the Western Cape from Cape Point to the Orange River. 

• Hunting Opportunities

None

• Origin of the Name

This subspecies derived its name from the Khoi people of the Cape who referred to the sound of its call, “Kwa-ha”. 

Selous Zebra (Equus quagga selousii)

FIVE INTERESTING ZEBRA FACTS

1. Each Zebra’s stripe pattern is as unique as a human fingerprint and acts like a natural sunscreen to help deter biting flies.
2. Zebras communicate through facial expressions and sounds, like barking or braying.
3. A Zebra’s stripes help camouflage them in a herd, confusing predators.
4. Zebras can run up to 65 km/h (40 mph) to escape predators.
5. They can sleep standing up and only lie down when they feel safe.

More on zebra

Why Does the Zebra Have the Stripes?

The skin of the zebra is one of the most popular trophies that hunters bring home from African safaris. Whether you use it as a carpet on the wall or a rug on the floor, or make a more original taxidermy out of it, the striking black-and-white skin can’t help but stir your curiosity. The old question “Is zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes?” has been positively answered. Zebra embryos start out black (or brown), and the white color appears later, so zebra is black with white stripes. But why do they need the stripes in the first place? CONTINUE READING