Editing Zebra (section)

{{short description|Black-and-white striped animals in the equid family}}
{{distinguish|Zebu}}
{{other uses}}
{{Featured article}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{use British English|date=July 2020}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|2|0|earliest=2.3|ref=<ref name="Badenhorst2019"/>|PS=[[Pleistocene]]–[[Holocene|present]]}}
| image = Plains Zebra Equus quagga cropped.jpg
| image_alt = A herd of plains zebra ("Equus quagga")
| image_caption = A [[plains zebra]] (''Equus quagga'') among a herd in the [[Ngorongoro Crater]] in [[Tanzania]]
| taxon = Equus (Hippotigris)
| authority = C. H. Smith, 1841
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
†''[[Equus capensis|E. capensis]]''<br />
''[[Grévy's zebra|E. grevyi]]''<br />
†''[[Equus mauritanicus|E. mauritanicus]]''<br />
†''E. oldowayensis''<br />
''[[plains zebra|E. quagga]]''<br />
''[[mountain zebra|E. zebra]]''
| range_map = Zebra range.png
| range_map_caption = Modern range of the three living zebra species
}}

'''Zebras''' ({{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|z|iː|b|r|ə|z}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|z|ɛ|b|r|ə|z|,_|ˈ|z|iː|-}})<ref>{{cite LPD|3}}</ref> (subgenus '''''Hippotigris''''') are African [[equines]] with distinctive black-and-white striped [[Animal coat|coat]]s. There are three [[Extant taxon|living]] species: [[Grévy's zebra]] (''Equus grevyi''), the [[plains zebra]] (''E. quagga''), and the [[mountain zebra]] (''E. zebra''). Zebras share the genus ''[[Equus (genus)|Equus]]'' with [[Wild horse|horses]] and [[Asinus|asses]], the three groups being the only living members of the family [[Equidae]]. Zebra stripes come in different patterns, unique to each individual. Several theories have been proposed for the function of these patterns, with most evidence supporting them as a deterrent for biting flies. Zebras inhabit [[East Africa|eastern]] and [[southern Africa]] and can be found in a variety of habitats such as [[savannahs]], [[grasslands]], woodlands, [[shrubland]]s, and mountainous areas.

Zebras are primarily [[grazing (behaviour)|grazers]] and can subsist on lower-quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by [[lion]]s, and typically flee when threatened but also bite and kick. Zebra species differ in [[Sociality|social behaviour]], with plains and mountain zebra living in stable [[Harem (zoology)|harems]] consisting of an adult male or [[stallion]], several adult females or [[mares]], and their young or [[foals]]; while Grévy's zebra live alone or in loosely associated herds. In harem-holding species, adult females mate only with their harem stallion, while male Grévy's zebras establish [[Territory (animal)|territories]] which attract females and the species is [[Polygynandry|polygynandrous]]. Zebras communicate with various vocalisations, body postures and facial expressions. [[Social grooming]] strengthens social bonds in plains and mountain zebras.

Zebras' dazzling stripes make them among the most recognisable mammals. They have been featured in art and stories in Africa and beyond. Historically, they have been highly sought by exotic animal collectors, but unlike [[horses]] and [[donkeys]], zebras have never been completely [[domesticated]]. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) lists Grévy's zebra as [[Endangered species|endangered]], the mountain zebra as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] and the plains zebra as [[Near-threatened species|near-threatened]]. The [[quagga]] (''E. quagga quagga''), a type of plains zebra, was driven to extinction in the 19th century. Nevertheless, zebras can be found in numerous protected areas.