G REVY ’ S Z EBRA By: Taylor Marie Czesnik 2 nd Period Ecology

B ASIC FACTS OF THE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA Equus grevyi is the scientific name for the Grevy’s Zebra. Grevy’s Zebra’s live in Northern Kenya and Southern and Eastern parts of Ethiopia. They stand up to 5’6’’ at the shoulder and are about 9’ long. Most weigh around 990 pounds at maturity.

B ASIC FACTS OF THE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA Males on average are about 10% larger than females. They live in semi-desert areas, which include grasslands and savannas. They will graze on the tough grasses but are also known to eat leaves, which makes up about 30% of their diet.

A PPEARANCE DESCRIPTION OF G REVY ’ S Z EBRA They Grevy’s Zebra are different from most other zebra’s in appearance. Most have large rounded ears, large heads, and thick manes that stand straight up which makes them look more mule like. Their stripes are even different. They are all connected and wrap around the body. They even have a stripe running down their back like donkey’s.

T ERRITORIAL C HARACTERISTICS OF THE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA Most will live to be around 20 years old in a zoo, however, their life in the wild is much shorter. Males are highly territorial. They tend to stay in their territory all year alone until the females come in for mating season. Other not so dominant males travel in groups of 2 to 6.

R EPRODUCTION OF THE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA Most mate in August, September and October so they will give birth during the rain season. Gestation period is 13 months. Foals nurse heavily for half a year, but tend to stay with mothers for up to 3 years. Herds of mother’s and foals can be up to 200. They have one foal at a time and breed in 2 year intervals starting at 3 years old.

G REVY ’ S Z EBRA RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ANIMALS The cheetah is a known predator of the Grevy’s Zebra. The Beisa Oryx, which is basically a long horned antelope, shares territories with the Grevy’s Zebra. Vulturine Guineafowl, which is a bald headed game bird, is also very common around the Grevy’s Zera

I NTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA It experienced a significant decline in the 1970's, apparently due to poaching to obtain the zebra's attractive hide for fashion. In 2007 the population was estimated to be around 1,838 and 2,319. They have thinner black and white stripes than other zebra’s. They also have a white belly.

T HE G REVY ’ S Z EBRA T RUST One of the main conservation organizations working to help the Grevy’s Zebra. Established in January 2007 by Martha Fischer, James Lenaiyiarra, and Belinda Low. Have succeeded in efforts to turn the Grevy’s Zebra from a “Game Animal” to “Protected Animal”. Although the population has severely decreased since 1977 the conservation efforts are proving to be effective.

Q UIZ 1. What is the body weight of the Grevy’s Zebra? 2. Where does the Grevy’s Zebra live? 3. What makes up 30% of their diet? 4. How many foals can one mare have at a time? 5. About how tall are most Gravy’s Zebras?

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