Editing Plains zebra (section)

==Ecology==

===Range and habitat===
[[File:Maasai Mara 341.jpg|thumb|right|Zebras migrating with [[wildebeest]] in the [[Maasai Mara]]]]
The plains zebra's range stops short of the Sahara from [[South Sudan]] and southern [[Ethiopia]] extending south along eastern Africa, as far as Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi, before spreading into most southern African countries. They may have lived in [[Algeria]] in the [[Neolithic era]]. Plains zebras generally live in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, but can be found in a variety of habitats, both tropical and temperate. However, they are generally absent from deserts, dense rainforests, and permanent wetlands.<ref name="Moehlman 2002"/> They generally prefer [[Acacieae]] woodlands over ''[[Commiphora]]''. They are water-dependent and live in more [[Mesic habitat|mesic]] environments than other African equids. They seldom wander {{convert|10|–|12|km|abbr=on}} from a water source. Zebras also live in elevations from [[sea level]] to {{convert|4,300|ft|m}} on [[Mount Kenya]].<ref name="Estes 1991"/><ref name="Grub 1981"/><ref name="Skinner"/>

Depending on the population, zebra herds may be sedentary, being highly dense with small ranges, or [[Animal migration|migratory]], being less populated with separate, extensive dry and wet home ranges.<ref name="Grub 1981"/> When migrating, zebras appear to rely on some memory of the locations where foraging conditions were best and may predict conditions months before their arrival.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Bracis, C.; Mueller, T.|year=2017|title=Memory, not just perception, plays an important role in terrestrial mammalian migration |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=284 |issue=1855 |page=20170449 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2017.0449 |pmid=28539516|pmc=5454266}}</ref>

The loss of open grasslands due to [[woody plant encroachment]] increases predation risk and therewith habitat.<ref name=":0" />

===Diet and predation===
Plains zebras primarily feed on [[grass]]; preferred species being ''[[Themeda triandra]]'', ''[[Cynodon dactylon]]'', ''[[Eragrostis superba]]'' and ''[[Cenchrus ciliaris]]''. Zebra sometimes [[Browsing (herbivory)|browse]] or dig for [[corm]]s and [[rhizome]]s during the dry season.<ref name="Grub 1981"/> They appear to partial to eating scorched ''[[Colophospermum mopane]]'' and ''[[Pterocarpus rotundifolius]]'', consuming both the leaves and twigs.<ref name="Skinner"/>

Plains zebras are adapted for grazing on both long, tough grass stems and newly emerging short grass. In some areas, it rarely feeds below {{convert|100|–|150|mm|abbr=on}} to ground level. It ranges more widely than many other species, even into [[woodland]]s, and it is often the first grazing species to appear in a well-vegetated area.<ref name="Estes 1991"/><ref name="Skinner"/> The flexible upper lip allows them to push plant material between the incisors to cut.<ref name="Skinner"/> Zebras have a less efficient digestive system than [[ruminant]]s but food passage is twice as fast.<ref name="Grub 1981"/> Thus, zebras are less selective in foraging, but they do spend much time eating. The zebra is a pioneer grazer and prepares the way for more specialised grazers such as [[blue wildebeest]]s and [[Thomson's gazelle]]s.<ref name="Estes 1991"/>

[[File:Lions and a Zebra b.jpg|thumb|Lions feeding on a zebra]]
The plains zebra's major predators are [[lion]]s and [[spotted hyena]]s. Lions are most successful when targeting lone individuals, usually an old male while hyenas chase and isolate an individual from the group, usually a female or foal.<ref name="Kingdon 1988"/> [[Nile crocodile]]s also prey on zebras when they are near water.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kennedy, A. S., & Kennedy, V.|year=2013|title=Animals of the Masai Mara|publisher=Princeton University Press|page=130|isbn=978-0691156019}}</ref> Less common predators include [[leopard]]s, [[cheetah]]s and [[African wild dog]]s, which mostly hunt foals.<ref name="Grub 1981"/> When in the presence of a lion, zebras remain alert and stand in a semi-circle at as much as {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} and no less than {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Stallions sometimes try to drive lions away with bluff charges. By contrast, zebras may approach cheetahs and wild dogs and a single hyena is allowed to come within a few metres. To escape from predators, an adult zebra can run at {{convert|60|-|70|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Kingdon 1988"/> When being hunted by hyenas or wild dogs, a zebra harem stays close together and cooperates to protect threatened members, particularly the young. The harem stallion goes on the offensive and attacks the dogs or hyenas.<ref name="Estes 1991"/>