Grévy's Zebra: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hooves and Horns · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. This zebra is named after a French president, Jules Grévy. In 1882 the emperor of Ethiopia sent him one as a gift.
2. Taller than any other zebra, it has big mule-like ears and the thinnest stripes of all zebras.
3. A newborn foal will follow anything that moves. So its mother keeps other mares away while it learns her stripes, smell and voice.
4. Its call has been described as a hippo's grunt mixed with a donkey's wheeze.
5. Built for dry country, it can go up to a week without drinking. In droughts, these zebras dig their own water holes and guard them.

The quiz

1. Who is Grévy's zebra named after?

• A Kenyan park ranger
• A French president (correct)
• A Roman emperor
• A British explorer

It honours Jules Grévy, who received one as a gift from Ethiopia.

2. What makes Grévy's zebra's stripes special?

• They are the narrowest of all zebras (correct)
• They are red and white
• They cover its ears only
• They only appear in winter

Its stripes are the narrowest of any zebra.

3. Why does a mother keep other mares away from her newborn foal?

• So it can sleep
• So it stays warm
• So it learns to recognise her (correct)
• So it eats more grass

A newborn follows anything that moves, so it must learn its own mother's stripes, scent and voice.

4. Which two animals does the Grévy's zebra's call sound like?

• A lion and a horse
• An elephant and a goat
• A dog and a cow
• A hippo and a donkey (correct)

People describe its call as a mix of a hippo grunting and a donkey wheezing.

5. What do Grévy's zebras do during droughts?

• Sleep for months
• Dig water holes and guard them (correct)
• Drink only sea water
• Climb into the trees

In droughts they dig water holes and defend them.

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