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What the sources say

Plains ZebraEquus quagga

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Plains Zebra profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 60 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

King & Moehlman 2016

King & Moehlman (2016). Equus quagga. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41013A45172424.

The page saysNear Threatened
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Near Threatened (NT). Equus quagga Boddaert, 1785, IUCN taxon 41013.

Source
02

Caro et al. 2014

Caro et al. (2014). The function of zebra stripes. Nature Communications.

The page saysStripes linked to biting flies
The source sayssignificant associations between our proxy for tabanid biting fly annoyance and most striping measures
The page saysStripes that a 2014 study linked to biting flies
The source sayssignificant associations between our proxy for tabanid biting fly annoyance and most striping measuresNote: '2014' is the paper's publication year per Nature Communications / Crossref metadata (audit:sources --cite), not text in the abstract itself
The page saysZebra stripes have interested scientists for over a century
The source saysDespite over a century of interest, the function of zebra stripes has never been examined systematically.
The page saysA 2014 study was the first to test the main explanations systematically, matching stripe patterns across zebra, horse and ass species and subspecies against conditions in their ranges
The source saysthe function of zebra stripes has never been examined systematically. Here we match variation in striping of equid species and subspecies to geographic range overlap of environmental variables in multifactor models controlling for phylogeny to simultaneously test the five major explanationsNote: '2014' is the paper's publication year per Nature Communications / Crossref metadata (audit:sources --cite), not text in the abstract itself
The page saysno consistent link between striping and camouflage, predator avoidance, cooling, or social interaction
The source saysthere is no consistent support for camouflage, predator avoidance, heat management or social interaction hypotheses
The page saysmost measures of striping tracked how much tabanid flies, such as horseflies, were likely to pester the animals in each range
The source sayssignificant associations between our proxy for tabanid biting fly annoyance and most striping measuresNote: 'such as horseflies' glosses 'tabanid' for young readers (tabanids are the horse-fly family); 'were likely to pester' renders the abstract's 'proxy for ... annoyance'
The page saysbelly stripe numbers tracked where tsetse flies live
The source saysbetween belly stripe number and tsetse fly distribution
The page saysaccording to the first systematic test of the idea
The source saysDespite over a century of interest, the function of zebra stripes has never been examined systematically. Here we match variation in striping
The page saysA 2014 study compared striping across zebra, horse and ass species and subspecies to conditions across their ranges.
The source sayswe match variation in striping of equid species and subspecies to geographic range overlap of environmental variablesNote: '2014' is the paper's publication year per Nature Communications / Crossref metadata (audit:sources --cite), not text in the abstract itself
The page saysIt found no consistent support for camouflage, predator avoidance, staying cool, or social interaction
The source saysthere is no consistent support for camouflage, predator avoidance, heat management or social interaction hypotheses
The page saysmost measures of striping were linked to how much biting flies were likely to bother animals in their range
The source sayssignificant associations between our proxy for tabanid biting fly annoyance and most striping measures

Source
03

Courbin et al. 2018

Courbin et al. (2018). Zebra diel migrations reduce encounter risk with lions at night. Journal of Animal Ecology.

The page saysIn Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, researchers found that plains zebras graze on open grassland near waterholes by day, where they can easily spot predators, then move a few kilometers away at sunset, when lions become active
The source saysWe investigated whether plains zebras Equus quagga perform DM in Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe). There, zebras can forage in large patches of open grasslands located near waterholes where they can also easily detect predators ... Zebras forage near waterholes during the day but move away from them at sunset, when lions become active. We demonstrated that this DM, occurring over a few kilometres
The page saysThat move sharply cuts their risk of meeting lions at night
The source saysdramatically reduces their night-time risk of encountering lions
The page saysPartly by keeping out of lions' way at night.
The source saysthey are there at high risk of encountering their main predator, lions Panthera leo, especially at night. We found out that zebras employ a DM anti-predator strategy.
The page saysZebras studied in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park forage in open grassland near waterholes by day, where they can easily spot predators, then move away at sunset, when lions become active
The source saysWe investigated whether plains zebras Equus quagga perform DM in Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe). There, zebras can forage in large patches of open grasslands located near waterholes where they can also easily detect predators ... Zebras forage near waterholes during the day but move away from them at sunset, when lions become active.
The page saysThis move, over a few kilometers, sharply cuts their night-time risk of meeting lions, which generally stay close to waterholes
The source saysWe demonstrated that this DM, occurring over a few kilometres, dramatically reduces their night-time risk of encountering lions, which generally remain close to waterholes.

Source
04

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Equus burchellii. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysfrom the Serengeti-Mara to Namibia
The source sayswith the highest population densities in the Serengeti-Mara plains of Kenya and Tanzania... as far west as Namibia
The page saysin a pattern unique enough to work as an ID card for every zebra in the herd
The source saysEach individual's stripe pattern is unique and acts as an identifying characteristic similar to fingerprints in human beings.
The page saysOne of the main theories is that they protect against predators, for example by making it hard to single out one zebra from a herd
The source saysFour main theories have been purposed to explain the evolution of zebra stripes. The first theory states that these stripes have an anti-predatory function. ... This blending also makes it more difficult for predators to single out individuals from the herd.
The page saysA pattern no two zebras share
The source saysEach individual's stripe pattern is unique and acts as an identifying characteristic similar to fingerprints in human beings.Note: blockquote lead-in paraphrases ADW's 'unique ... similar to fingerprints' as 'no two zebras share'
The page saysfrom the Serengeti-Mara plains of Kenya and Tanzania to Namibia
The source sayswith the highest population densities in the Serengeti-Mara plains of Kenya and Tanzania... as far west as Namibia
The page saysLions, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards and Nile crocodiles hunt plains zebras
The source saysKnown Predators lions (Panthera leo) spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) leopards (Panthera pardus) Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)

Source
05

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Zebra. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysA zebra foal learns its own mother's stripe pattern from birth to stay close to her
The source saysFoals must recognize their mother from birth to survive. A foal learns its mother’s stripe pattern to stay close to her.Note: SDZ's foal passage covers zebras in general, so the sentence says 'a zebra foal', not 'a plains zebra foal'
The page saysmares usually will not adopt another mare's foal, so no one else would feed it
The source saysMares usually do not adopt other foals, so there would be no chance of getting food from anyone but Mom.
The page saysA zebra foal learns its mother's stripe pattern to stay close to her
The source saysA foal learns its mother’s stripe pattern to stay close to her.Note: SDZ covers zebras in general; the FAQ asks about 'a zebra foal' to match
The page saysmares usually do not adopt other foals, so no one else will feed it
The source saysMares usually do not adopt other foals, so there would be no chance of getting food from anyone but Mom.
The page saysMothers often move a short distance away from the herd so their foals can imprint on them
The source saysMothers often separate from the herd a short distance so that their foals can imprint on them.
The page saysreturn to the herd once the foal can readily identify its mother
The source saysOnce a foal can readily identify its mother, the mare and her foal return to the herd for protection.
The page saysEach zebra's stripe pattern is unique, which also helps researchers tell individual zebras apart.
The source saysZebra stripes are unique to each individual—a fact that helps researchers identify individual zebras.

Source
06

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Plains Zebra. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

The page saysa coat as unique as a fingerprint
The source saysEach zebra has a distinct pattern of stripes, as unique as a person’s fingerprints.
The page saysMostly short grasses
The source saysThey eat mostly short grasses, but other vegetation as well.
The page sayswildebeest and gazelle tend to move in after zebras trample and shorten the grass
The source saysWildebeests and gazelles tend to move in only after Plains zebra have trampled and shortened the grasses.
The page saysstands up to 59 inches (1.5 meters) at the shoulder
The source saysUp to 59 in (1.5 m) at shoulders
The page saysweighs 500 to 800 pounds (227 to 363 kilograms) as an adult
The source saysHOW MUCH THEY WEIGH 500‑800 lbs (227‑363 kg)Note: Maryland Zoo prints the range with non-breaking hyphens: '500‑800 lbs (227‑363 kg)'
The page saysmoments after birth it can stand, walk and suckle
The source saysMoments after birth, a zebra foal is able to stand, walk, and suckle.Note: Maryland's current plains zebra page wins over ADW 2009's 'Within 10 or 15 minutes'
The page saysA plains zebra typically lives 15 to 20 years
The source saysHOW LONG THEY TYPICALLY LIVE 15‑20 yrs
The page saysEvery plains zebra's stripes are as individual as a fingerprint
The source saysEach zebra has a distinct pattern of stripes, as unique as a person’s fingerprints.
The page saysPlains zebras eat mostly short grasses
The source saysThey eat mostly short grasses, but other vegetation as well.
The page saysplains zebras are often the first grazers to move into a well-vegetated area
The source saysPlains zebra are often the first grazers to enter a well-vegetated area.
The page sayswildebeest and gazelle tend to move in only after zebras have trampled and shortened the grass
The source saysWildebeests and gazelles tend to move in only after Plains zebra have trampled and shortened the grasses.
The page saysPlains zebras live in family groups of one stallion, one or more mares and their young
The source saysThe Plains Zebra is very social and lives in family groups made up of a single stallion, one or more mares, and recent offspring.
The page saysfamilies sometimes band together into large herds
The source saysfamily groups will sometimes band together to form large herds
The page saysBig numbers mean more eyes watching for predators
The source saysLarge numbers reduce the likeliness of any individual animal being attacked and also guarantee more eyes watching for predators.
The page saysmembers of a group take turns standing watch
The source saysIndividual members of a group will take turns standing watch.
The page saysMembers of a group may try to bite or kick attacking predators to protect foals and herd mates, but a zebra's most reliable defense is to flee
The source saysMembers of the group may try to bite or kick attacking predators in order to protect foals and other herd mates. The zebra’s most reliable defense, though, is to flee!

Source
07

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database

Equus quagga. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database.

The page saysA newborn foal weighs about 32 kilograms
The source saysWeight at birth 32,000 gNote: 32,000 g = 32 kg; AnAge (build 15, 2023) is current, ADW's 2009 account is not
The page saysthe oldest verified individual, born wild and later kept in captivity, lived to about 38
The source saysOne wild born specimen of the /burchellii/ subspecies was about 38 years old when it died in captivity [ 0671 ]. Reports of animals living 40 years in captivity have not been confirmed.

Source
08

African Wildlife Foundation

Zebra. African Wildlife Foundation.

The page saysa yearly Serengeti trek of around 2,900 kilometers
The source saysEvery year, hundreds of thousands of zebras gather up their young and begin the long journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti plains, north to Kenya. This annual trek to find food and water covers a distance of around 2,900 kilometersNote: scoped to the Serengeti herds, as AWF gives it
The page saysUsually treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands across eastern and southern Africa
The source saysThey have a wide range in east and southern Africa. They usually live in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands
The page sayssometimes leaves and young trees
The source sayssometimes even eating leaves and young trees
The page saysA "pioneer grazer"
The source saysconsidered to be "pioneer grazers"
The page saysthey are not picky eaters
The source saysThe zebra is not a picky eater.
The page saysThey sometimes eat leaves and young trees too
The source saysthey eat a wide variety of different grasses, sometimes even eating leaves and young trees
The page saysas a result can range more widely than many other species, often venturing into woodlands
The source saysAs a result, they can range more widely than many other species, often venturing into woodlands.
The page saysThey are considered "pioneer grazers"
The source saysThey are considered to be "pioneer grazers"
The page saysNative to more than 15 African countries
The source saysNative to over 15 African countries
The page saysthey usually live in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands and are absent from deserts and rainforests
The source saysThey usually live in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands and are absent from deserts, rainforests, and wetlands.Note: wetlands left out on purpose: the Maryland Zoo page says plains zebras 'venture into woodland and marshy areas as well'
The page saysEvery year, hundreds of thousands of them set off from Tanzania's Serengeti plains north to Kenya, on a trek of around 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) to find food and water
The source saysEvery year, hundreds of thousands of zebras gather up their young and begin the long journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti plains, north to Kenya. This annual trek to find food and water covers a distance of around 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles)
The page saysthe momentum of the Serengeti's zebra herds, which trek around 2,900 kilometers a year to find food and water
The source saysEvery year, hundreds of thousands of zebras gather up their young and begin the long journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti plains, north to Kenya. This annual trek to find food and water covers a distance of around 2,900 kilometers

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.