Mountain zebras (Equus zebra) are African mammals with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. Their dazzling stripes make them among the most recognizable mammals. Mountain zebras are so-called due to their amazing climbing ability, allowing them to easily take over steep, rugged surfaces. They have developed considerably tougher and more pointed hooves than those of other equine species.
Mountain zebras are boldly striped in black or dark brown, and no two individuals look exactly alike. The whole body is striped except for the belly. In the Cape mountain zebra, the ground color is effectively white, but the ground color in Hartmann's zebra is slightly buff. Additionally, Mountain zebras have so-called 'dewlap" - a thin piece of skin on their throat. The dewlap is more conspicuous in males.
Mountain zebras are represented by two sub-species. These are Cape mountain zebras, inhabiting South Africa; and Hartmann's mountain zebra subspecies, occurring in scattered parts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. As the common name of the species suggests, Mountain zebras prefer living on mountainous slopes and plateaus. Meanwhile, the Cape mountain zebra subspecies are found at heights of up to 2,000 m above sea level. During the cold winter months, they migrate to lower elevations. Hartmann’s mountain zebras, on the other hand, constantly move between mountains and salt flats.
Mountain zebras lead a diurnal lifestyle, being active by day and sleeping by night. They exhibit increased activity at dawn and dusk. Nearly half of their active time is spent feeding. In addition, they take dust baths 1-2 times per day. Mountain zebras are gregarious creatures, forming small herds, typically harems, consisting of a single mature male as well as 1-5 mature females with their offspring. This species never occurs in large herds. Male zebras are called stallions and females are known as mares. The stallion dominates, defends, and leads the herd. Two or more herds occasionally gather in temporary units of up to 30 animals. With the onset of the winter, herds may travel up to 20 km (12.4 mi) to find a water supply. They can water at both day and night, although in areas with excessive hunting, they usually water during the night.
Mountain zebras maintain a herbivorous (graminivorous, folivorous) diet, which is generally composed of grass. In times of shortage, they browse, eating bark, twigs, leaves, buds, fruit, and roots.
Mountain zebras have a polygynous mating system. They form small breeding herds, in which the dominant male mates with the females of the herd. Although they may breed at any time of the year, Cape mountain zebras generally do so in December-January, while Hartmann’s mountain zebras breed between November and April. Females produce offspring at intervals of 1-3 years. The gestation period lasts for as long as 1 year, yielding a single foal. Weaning occurs at 10 months old. Then, between 13 and 37 months old, foals leave their natal herd. Female Mountain zebras start to produce offspring from 3-6 years of age and are able to do so until they are 24 years old.
Threats to the population of this vulnerable species are many. Thus, the Mountain zebras presently suffer from hunting and persecution throughout their range. These animals are facing the loss of their natural habitat, as a result of agricultural development. On the other hand, they are threatened by competition for resources with domestic livestock. And finally, the two Mountain zebra subspecies are potentially threatened by interbreeding and resulting fusion.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population of Mountain zebras is estimated at around 9,000 mature individuals. The current total population size of the Cape mountain zebra subspecies is 1,500 individuals (500 mature individuals). On the other hand, the population of Hartmann’s mountain zebra subspecies is estimated at around 25,000 animals, 8,300 of which are mature individuals. Overall, Mountain zebras are currently classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are increasing.
Due to their habit of grazing, Mountain zebras are likely to be important seed dispersers of the plants they consume. Moreover, they are believed to generate habitats for smaller animals such as mesopredators through grazing.