Ecological Interactions
Predation
The diet of a zebra is herbivory, so they feed on short green grass, shrubs, leaves and tree bark. Zebras can also eat dry rough grass; however, it is necessary that they need to be close to a water source. Some zebras have their heads down grazing for food while the others will be on the lookout for predators. Zebras have a variety of predators. African Lions gather in a herd to take down a healthy adult zebra. A cheetah alone prey on baby zebras while cheetahs in a pack prey on adults. Leopards attack the young, injured and ill. Hyenas and African Wild Dog hunt after zebras in packs. Zebras have a great risk for attack by Nile Crocodiles when swimming or crossing rivers or drinking from a water source.
The diet of a zebra is herbivory, so they feed on short green grass, shrubs, leaves and tree bark. Zebras can also eat dry rough grass; however, it is necessary that they need to be close to a water source. Some zebras have their heads down grazing for food while the others will be on the lookout for predators. Zebras have a variety of predators. African Lions gather in a herd to take down a healthy adult zebra. A cheetah alone prey on baby zebras while cheetahs in a pack prey on adults. Leopards attack the young, injured and ill. Hyenas and African Wild Dog hunt after zebras in packs. Zebras have a great risk for attack by Nile Crocodiles when swimming or crossing rivers or drinking from a water source.
Interspecific Competition
Interspecific competition involves animals of different species. Grass is a zebra's main food source as well as for wildebeests and gazelles. Wildebeests eat the remainder of grass that the zebras have left behind then gazelles eat the new growth of grass. This keeps the plains open and clear so predators do not use the tall grass as a cover while hunting for prey. |
Intraspecific Competition
Intraspecific competition involves animals of the same species. Zebras of different harems are often in competition for the same food source. During mating, stallions will fight for the control of the females. A dominance hierarchy is established between the mares by either fighting or gestures of threat. The family unit is bonded through mutual grooming and gently nibbling each other. |
Mutualistic Relationships
- Zebra & Ostrich
- Zebra & Oxpecker
Defence Mechanisms
One behavioural defence is actively fleeing from predators. Another behavioural defence is mobbing and circling the wounded zebra in order to drive off predators, The stripes cause a dizzying display and confuse predators when zebras flee in a group. They also sleep in shifts with some zebras awake and alert. The stallion would sound a signal when everything is safe or when a threat occurs. |