There are primarily three types of zebras, plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and mountain zebra.All species of zebras are herbivores as they love to eat leaves, grass, and fruits. The Grevy’s zebra is a tough species and does not require much water and can survive eating low nutritional intake.They stay like a family in their herds. Herds of zebras are commonly known as dazzle. Zebra species tend to sleep while standing, although sometimes they may lie down to experience deeper sleep. The newborns of this species typically are able to stand up within six minutes of their birth. Although they have a little trouble walking for the first few minutes, they tend to get the hang of it and are constantly assisted by their families. Another difference between the two species is that zebra makes a sound like a bark whereas the horses make a sound like a neigh.After understanding the difference between species of horse and zebra, do read can you ride a zebra? And, are zebras white with black stripes?Are zebras just horses with stripes?Both zebras and horses belong to the Equidae family, in the Equus genus to be precise.Different species of animals are often classified into the same family because of certain ground-level similarities. However, this does not mean that those animals are the same. The main visual difference is of course the appearance of zebras and horses. Zebras have a black and white stripe while horses are mostly of a single color. While both horses and zebras are very social animals and move around in herds, there are differences in the temperament of both species.It is very rare and difficult to train and tame a zebra. On the other hand, horses are ridden all the time. These wild animals are tamable and have even proved to be useful for pulling carriages and carts.The white and black stripes on a zebra help it to camouflage well and act as a factor in confusing the predators as they are unable to pick out a single zebra from the herd due to the illusion created by white and black stripes. Zebras are much smaller than horses in height and length. Even the different species within zebras have different sizes. The Grevy’s are considered to be the tallest among zebra species, followed by the mountain zebras, and then, in the end, come the plain zebras. The stripes of a zebra also protect them from biting flies.What is a cross between a zebra and a horse called?A cross between species is always referred to and called a hybrid. There are different names provided to their respective hybrid among different species.The cross between a zebra stallion and a horse mare is commonly referred to as a zorse or a zebra horse. While the hybrid of a horse stallion and zebra mare is known as an hebra. The cross-species or hybrids, zorse or hebra, are almost always infertile. The quagga was a name given to the natural zebra and horse crossbreed (zorse). However, this species became extinct years ago.A zorse possesses the characteristics of both horse and zebra. Their structure and build are like horses but these herd animals may have stripes on them, especially on their legs. In some cases, stripes might also appear on the neck and body although they are more commonly found on just the legs.Zebras can also breed with asses. This is mostly because these striped animals belong to the same broad family even though they are of different species. Their hybrids are known as zedonk.Why are horses and zebras considered different species?These animals are considered as different species because of the differences in their temperament, appearance, and tamability.The white stripes on a zebra are like our fingerprints. Just like each human is known to have a different fingerprint, the black and white stripes on zebras are also unique to each. No two zebras have absolutely the same stripes.Although it may not appear differently viewed through our eyes, researchers and wildlife enthusiasts have confirmed that such distinctions exist.Horse Vs Zebra: Size ComparisonBoth horses and zebras belong to the same Equidae family.There are variations in the sizes of zebras and horses which are even more evident when people try to ride them. The structure of their backs is different. Although there can be exceptions, horses are generally bigger than zebras, they grow up to 5.9 ft (1.8 m) whereas on average zebras are full-grown at 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m).This makes a huge difference in the ability to ride them because riders need comfortable space to sit and hold on to which is difficult to find in the case of a zebra.Horses have more visible and distinctive manes. Their hair is longer and shinier; it flies when horses run. Whereas zebras do not have a long mane; it is usually so short that the hair does not fly or move from one side of the zebra to another.Are zebras faster than horses?Zebras are swift. As these striped animals live in the wild, they can move really fast to escape predators.Zebra stripes enable them as a herd to create an illusion such that the predators are unable to single out an individual zebra.This is not to say that zebras run faster than horses. Records show that zebras can run at a speed of 42 mph (68 kph), while horses can run at a speed of 55 mph (88.5 kph). Zebras are slower than horses. Wild animals like zebras and horses develop characteristics to outrun their predators. Even though zebras are slower than both domestics and wild horses, their sturdy legs and swiftness allow them to change directions in a jiffy.Can zebras be domesticated?It is not impossible to domesticate zebras.A horse and a zebra may seem similar but there are differences in their behaviors and temperament. Plain zebra, mountain zebra, as well as Grevy zebras are aggressive beings. Even if they are domesticated, their unpredictable nature would make it difficult to function timely and accurately.Zebras are the only members of the Equidae family who are not tamed and domesticated by humans; both horses and donkeys have been used as domestic animals for centuries now. These animals survive best in the wild and move around according to their natural instinct.Zebra stripes keep their bodies cool even in high temperatures. The black and white stripes of the zebra confuse the lions as lions are color blind. These stripes also save zebras from insect bites. However, over the years there has been a decline in the population of zebras. It is stated that if zebras had been domesticated like horses and donkeys, they too would be living a safer life. Zebras’ stripes are black with white.Domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus) are friendly, they know their masters and tend to carry out their work efficiently. Domesticated horses are even used in racing and in games like polo. If zebras are to be trained and domesticated then it would require a great deal of patience and determination to handle their unpredictable nature.Horses are seen as part of the family. People share their thoughts and feelings with their horses and feel understood. Horses are much faster than zebras and their backs are shaped in such a way that saddles can be easily placed. The backs of horses also typically allow proper space for the rider to directly sit on it, which is not the case with zebras. Zebras are smaller in size and do not provide enough space to sit safely.Furthermore, zebras are very stubborn animals. Whether it is a mountain zebra or a plains zebra, the entire species of zebras are typical of an aggressive temperament. Zebras are born with a fight or flight response. They move in herds and live like a family. They look after their own family members, the young of the zebras are protected by adults. In this way, horses and zebras are quite similar.However, this does not mean that you should try to tame zebras. In Africa, zebras are considered to be the favorite prey of lions and therefore perhaps, they have the instinct to be aggressive and fight back. There is no evidence suggesting whether or not zebras are smarter than horses. Therefore, it is assumed that they are both animals with different characteristics with no comparison in terms of intelligence.Are zebras closer to horses or donkeys?Zebras, horses, and donkeys all belong to the same equine family. Zebras are mostly found in Africa. The climate and vegetation of Africa have been found to be most preferred by zebras; zebras are also found in captivity in the zoos of various counties.There have been several instances where zebras appear much closer to donkeys than horses. Irrespective of the differences in being tamed, the size of donkeys and zebras is much similar. All members of the equine species are close enough to be able to breed with one another, however, there are differences in their chromosomal structures. The breed of horses diverged from the others long ago. The differences between zebras and donkeys, however, started developing much after the horses.These animals are all great climbers. These animals are related to each other and have related features like beautiful manes and hair. Another related feature is that their coat is shiny and sturdy enough to protect their bodies from damages caused by the environment. The manes of wild horses fly beautifully as they run. The same is true for zebras, although the hair on their mane is not as long as those on wild horses. The stripes on zebras are their distinguishing feature.Unlike horses and donkeys, zebras are not predictable and definitely not followers. This makes it difficult for humans to tame them. Zebras do not wish to be ridden or tamed. They are wild animals and love to move around in their herds.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are zebras horses then why not take a look at African savanna animals, or plains zebra facts.
There are primarily three types of zebras, plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and mountain zebra.
