Editing Plains zebra (section)

===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"/>