HARTMANN'S MOUNTAIN ZEBRA
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Name
Equus zebra hartmannae
Species Survival Plan
Yes
Habitat
Adapted to sub-desert plains and barren, rocky uplands
Predators
Lion and man
Food
Grasses
Originally Native To
Formerly arid mountain ranges paralleling the coast from southern Angola to the Transvaal of Africa. Mountains bordering the Namib Desert
Height
60 inches at shoulder
Weight
570 lb.
Characteristics
Close-set torso stripes, full-leg stripes, no stripes on belly; small dewlap under the chin
Gestation Period
12 months
Birth Season
Any month
Lifespan
30 years
Social Behavior
Single male harems slightly smaller than those of the plains zebra. Rarely do small herds combine to form large aggregations, as opposed to the plains zebra. They are migratory
ABOUT HARTMANN'S MOUNTAIN ZEBRA
One of the most significant differences between mountain zebras and the plains species is that plains zebras have 44 chromosomes and the mountain zebras have 32. This is fascinating considering all zebra species, with relatively small exceptions, look and behave in very similar fashion.
The primary visual difference between Hartmann’s and other zebras is the small dewlap under their chins. This species also has some physical characteristics present in the Grevy’s zebra (no belly stripes) and plains zebra (wide stripes).
In the wild, mountain zebras utilize upland ranges and seek water from springs and rainwater pools. If surface water is not available, they will dig for sub-surface water, thereby creating watering sources for other species. If unfenced, this species can range more than 62 miles. Even when fenced, they are known to migrate over available range.
Established harems have been known to stay together for up to 15 years if the stallions remain healthy and dominate. Other than harems, bachelor herds are present and comprised of young ousted males, occasionally young females and old or deposed stallions that have lost their harem.
As with other equid species, zebra can sleep while standing.
MEET THE NEIGHBORS
Waterbuck
Waterbuck are found in southeastern, central and western Africa. When exposed to a high level of human activity, they will become almost completely nocturnal, only...
Read More
Southern White Rhinoceros
Poaching remains the greatest threat to the white rhinoceros. Its horn is used in Asia for traditional medicines and, more recently, as a status symbol...
Read More
Southern Black Rhinoceros
Fossil Rim participates in the International Rhino Foundation’s Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program, which is a coordinated international effort to establish and maintain a viable...
Read More
Sable
The sable antelope gets its name from the Russian word for “black.” Its coat is short and glossy for females and young sable. Their coloration...
Read More
Roan
Roan, the fourth-largest antelopes in Africa, are usually active in the morning, late afternoon and evening. The roan is associated with woodland savannas, but is...
Read More
Ostrich
The ostrich is the world’s largest living bird. Its weight, small wings and weak wing muscles combine to make it flightless. Ostriches use their wings...
Read More
Greater Kudu
Very large antelopes, the male kudu have thick, spiraled horns that can reach six feet in length. Sexually dimorphic, only the males have horns and...
Read More
Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest living land mammals, and although it looks like their hind legs are shorter, all four legs are almost the same length....
Read More
Gemsbok
The gemsbok is the largest and best known of the four species of oryx, or straight-horned antelope. It is one of the best desert-adapted large...
Read More
Common Wildebeest
Because these silvery gray antelopes with cow-like horns can sometimes, in the right light, look blue, they are referred to as the blue wildebeest....
Read More
Cheetah
The sleek cheetah is built for speed and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in seconds. However, it can run only 600 yards before it is...
Read More
Black-Footed Cat
The black-footed cat, or small-spotted cat, is one of the smallest cat species in the world. Weighing in at 2-5 pounds and measuring 14-20 inches...
Read More
ANYTHING YOU GIVE HELPS THE ANIMALS
As a private nonprofit corporation, Fossil Rim does not receive national or state government support. Every cent spent or donated here goes in some way, directly or indirectly, toward the care of our animals.