Burchell's+Zebra

When you see Zebra’s you most likely think that they’re all the same. If you’re one of these people, then you are wrong. There are many different types of zebras all around the world. The one that caught my eye the most would have to be the Burchell's Zebra. Now I know what you’re thinking, how much more extraordinary can this striped animal get? Well let me just tell you know that there is lot more to know about the Burchell's Zebra than you think.

The Burchell's Zebra was named after British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell. They are a southern subspecies of the plains zebra. The Burchell's Zebra is know to be a herbivore. They are grazers that feed in areas with short grass. Considering their diet, these particular zebras coincide with woodland and grassy plains. Meaning by this, their habitats consist of short grassland areas within savanna woodland and grassland plains. If they are near any watering holes, then they have just gained some extra brownie points for themselves! Typically most animals breed seasonally, in this case not the Burchell's Zebra! The Burchell's Zebra is a non seasonal breeder, foals (baby zebras) may be born in any month. Very rarely will you see these foals born in a specific month but if so then they would most likely be born during the summer. The foal is carried 360-390 days until born. When they are born they way from 30-35 kg. Staying on the family side of things, Burchell Zebra’s typically stay in smaller family units. Their family unit most likely consists of one stallion and one mare with their foals. Water holes in conjunction with favoured grazing areas attract larger family units. See, I really wasn’t joking around when these creatures gain more brownie points when they are located near a watering hole! The closest relative the Burchell's Zebra is the Quagga. Sadly this creature has become extinct over the years. Another cool fact about this amazing creature is that they have a distinctive shadow brown stripe in the white stripe, a characteristic which diminishes the further north they occur. Speaking of traveling north, this zebra migrates the longest distance of any terrestrial animal in Africa, traveling 160 one way. They migrate from the Chobe River to Nxai National Park. Wow! It seems like the Burchell's Zebras are some pretty active animals. I would like to conclude that the Burchell's Zebra is not quite like the other zebras out there!