Minimum Viable Population Size The minimum viable population size for zebras would be the smallest harems. A harem of the smallest size should include 1 stallion, 1 mare and a foal.
Survivorship Curves As shown by the last line on the graph, zebras display a type I survivorship curve. This curve demonstrates low morality near the start and a drastic increase of mortality as the line steepens. Typically, type I curves represent animals that produce few offspring and have a long gestation period. This is evident with the zebra since they have a gestation of 13 months resulting in about 1 foal per year.
Life Strategies Zebras present life strategies of k-selected traits, not r-selected. Animals with these k-selected traits generally have a large body size, long life expectancy, produce fewer offspring and provide extensive parental care until maturity. Zebras have a life expectancy of about 20 to 30 years, weighing up to 770 pounds and are around 3.6 to 4.8 feet at the shoulder. With low fecundity, zebras care highly for their young.