A zebra mare and her foal make their way across the savannah in Hwange National Park.
We were on a mission to find zebras. They were the only major animal on our must-see list that we hadn’t seen in Chobe National Park. Finally, deep in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, we found them, a whole herd. As is obvious from their physical appearance, they are closely related to horses and donkeys. In fact, zebras can mate with them. When a zebra and a donkey get together, their offspring is a zonkey. Not surprisingly, the offspring of a horse and a zebra is called a zorse. This is definitely party conversation material! Like mules, zonkeys and zorses are sterile, however. You won’t find them in large numbers.
As for the marvelous black and white stripes, scientists aren’t exactly sure of their purpose. One might be to confuse predators. It’s really hard to pick out vulnerable individuals in a herd, especially when they are running like heck to get away. They may also serve as a form of identification for other zebras, a name tag if you will, since the stripes are different on each zebra. Controlling body heat might be another factor.
Peggy and I really liked this photo. Note the beautiful symmetry on the face and how the stripes extend up from the zebra’s neck into its mane. If you shave off all of the hair, a zebra’s skin is black.A side view.And a full body shot. While the stripes on each zebra may be different, it’s subtle. Other than the differences between size and sex, I certainly couldn’t tell the difference. I’d be right there with the lion in trying to pick one out! BTW, this is a different zebra from the one I featured above.The herd, for the most part, was focused on something off to the right, possibly a predator. One was eating, however, which is the zebra’s primary occupation. As herbivores, their main food is grass, supplemented by leaves, roots and bark. Droppings in the foreground suggest this is a major elephant route. (It was hard to take photos anywhere near water in the dry season without the droppings. More than once, I cropped them out!)The herd moved in among the trees and provided another photo op. Zebras are social animals and live together in herds. When annual environmental conditions force them to migrate, the herds join together into huge herds, sometimes numbering in the thousands, and often travel with other herbivores like antelope. Within herds, zebras hang out in smaller groups consisting of a dominant stallion, several mares and foals.The stallions can be quite aggressive in establishing and maintaining their dominance. Note the look on the zebra in the back. This was not a love-bite!A wrestling match with more bites ensued.The winner! The dominant zebra, having proven its point, walks away while the other remains on the ground. These fighting skills are also used in defending zebras against predators such as lions, leopards, jackals and cheetahs. The zebras form a semi-circle facing the predator and attack if necessary using both their sharp teeth and powerful kicks.A zebra appears to be having a discussion with two kudos, antelope that may migrate with them.I’ll conclude today with this young ‘teenage’ zebra that was following mom in the first photo. On Monday we will be focusing on a number of other interesting creatures we met on our safari including the hyrax below. It’s hard to believe that this cute little fellow’s closest relatives are elephants and manatees. Peggy and I met up with him on Table Mountain near Cape Town, South Africa.
16 thoughts on “Zebra, Zonkey, Zorse: Zzz… On Safari 17”
The most interesting new detail you offered was that the zebras’ skin is black under all those stripes. I guess that answers the perennial kids’ question: are zebras white with black stripes, or black with white stripes? It was interesting seeing the hyrax. I had a blogging friend who lived in Jerusalem, and I believe the creatures he photographed in his parks were hyrax. I’ll have to see if I can track down one of those photos; I’m not sure his blog still is public since his death.
If I recall correctly, zebras and wildebeests often travel together to support one another. Zebras have great eyesight while wildebeests have great hearing. Speaking of hearing, have you ever heard the cry of a hyrax? Spine chilling.
Excellent photos Curt. I’ve been on safari a couple of times, and know how hard it was for me to get decent photos. In fact, the ratio of keepers to tossers was about 1 to 20.
It looks like your trip to S Africa was a real winner. Interestingly, when Covid blew up in 2020 we had a one month trip to SA planned, and were literally a week from departure. We decided to cancel, which was the right decision, but it was a real disappointment nonetheless. When we decide to go ahead with the trip, I’ll circle back to your informative posts for ideas. ~James
My new light weight camera with its digital super zoom lens has made a tremendous difference, James. I just bought Peggy one as well!
I don’t think we could have asked for a better experience, James. Sorry about the covid. It made us postpone our trip up the Rhine for a couple of years.
Wow, that wrestling match was intense, Curt, and what an absolutely adorable hyrax! It is hard to believe that its closest relatives are elephants and manatees. Love the zebras, especially the first photo. And I didn’t know their skin is black if you shave off all the hair. I mean, why would I? 🙂 Another great post!
Laughing. Yes, why would you? I’m sure the zebras agree. 🙂 As for the hyrax, it certainly came as a surprise to me. I was amazed when I originally learned that elephants and manatees were related! Thanks, Lauren.
I can understand why zebras were on your “must see” list, Curt. They’re one of the animals that we learn about early on in life and relate specifically to Africa. They’re so beautiful and your photos capture their lovely symmetry. And they are hard to tell apart in group shot where they’re moving into the trees. The hydrax is closely related to elephants and manatees?! Who would have thunk. 🙂 A fun post, my friend.
We were ever so glad when we encountered them in Hwange National Park, D. Peggy and I were worried after not finding any in Chobe that was so packed with wildlife. And we found a bunch!
As for that hyrax, I think that 99.9% of the population would agree with you. I certainly do. Thanks.
I enjoy zebras so much, and like almost every photo of them I have seen. Yours are beautiful. My favourites are the one with the zebra talking to the kudos, and the herd in the trees. The green, black, and white are so pretty.
Wandering through Time and Place 
The most interesting new detail you offered was that the zebras’ skin is black under all those stripes. I guess that answers the perennial kids’ question: are zebras white with black stripes, or black with white stripes? It was interesting seeing the hyrax. I had a blogging friend who lived in Jerusalem, and I believe the creatures he photographed in his parks were hyrax. I’ll have to see if I can track down one of those photos; I’m not sure his blog still is public since his death.
The skin color was also a surprise to me, Linda. As for the hyrax, I looked it up and indeed they can be found in the region.
I am so glad and appreciative that you escaped confinement in Liberia. This allows for these continuing great posts!!
Appreciated! That was a long time ago, Thankfully.
If I recall correctly, zebras and wildebeests often travel together to support one another. Zebras have great eyesight while wildebeests have great hearing. Speaking of hearing, have you ever heard the cry of a hyrax? Spine chilling.
I think you are right on that, Peggy. Thanks. And no, I’ve never heard the cry of a hyrax. I’ll go looking for it.
Excellent photos Curt. I’ve been on safari a couple of times, and know how hard it was for me to get decent photos. In fact, the ratio of keepers to tossers was about 1 to 20.
It looks like your trip to S Africa was a real winner. Interestingly, when Covid blew up in 2020 we had a one month trip to SA planned, and were literally a week from departure. We decided to cancel, which was the right decision, but it was a real disappointment nonetheless. When we decide to go ahead with the trip, I’ll circle back to your informative posts for ideas. ~James
My new light weight camera with its digital super zoom lens has made a tremendous difference, James. I just bought Peggy one as well!
I don’t think we could have asked for a better experience, James. Sorry about the covid. It made us postpone our trip up the Rhine for a couple of years.
Wow, that wrestling match was intense, Curt, and what an absolutely adorable hyrax! It is hard to believe that its closest relatives are elephants and manatees. Love the zebras, especially the first photo. And I didn’t know their skin is black if you shave off all the hair. I mean, why would I? 🙂 Another great post!
Laughing. Yes, why would you? I’m sure the zebras agree. 🙂 As for the hyrax, it certainly came as a surprise to me. I was amazed when I originally learned that elephants and manatees were related! Thanks, Lauren.
I can understand why zebras were on your “must see” list, Curt. They’re one of the animals that we learn about early on in life and relate specifically to Africa. They’re so beautiful and your photos capture their lovely symmetry. And they are hard to tell apart in group shot where they’re moving into the trees. The hydrax is closely related to elephants and manatees?! Who would have thunk. 🙂 A fun post, my friend.
We were ever so glad when we encountered them in Hwange National Park, D. Peggy and I were worried after not finding any in Chobe that was so packed with wildlife. And we found a bunch!
As for that hyrax, I think that 99.9% of the population would agree with you. I certainly do. Thanks.
What a fabulous encounter. They’re such amazing creatures. I agree re the photo you both like – it’s a great shot.
Alison
One of several we had, Alison. Every day, almost every hour brought some new.
I always love it when the animals look directly at me. Thanks. –Curt
I enjoy zebras so much, and like almost every photo of them I have seen. Yours are beautiful. My favourites are the one with the zebra talking to the kudos, and the herd in the trees. The green, black, and white are so pretty.
Certainly two of our favorites, Crystal. Those and the head shot…