Species · GBIF taxon 2440888
Mountain Zebra
Equus zebraAlso known as Cape Mountain Zebra, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra
Mountain zebras are rugged, sure-footed climbers that navigate steep, rocky slopes with specialized hard-edged hooves. Unlike plains zebras, they possess a distinctive dewlap on their throats and a gridiron pattern of narrow stripes across their rumps. Small breeding herds, consisting of a single stallion and a few mares, maintain stable bonds for years, frequently visiting mineral licks and high-altitude springs.
HerbivoreSocialMontane
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tufted grasses
- Shrub foliage
- Bark
Predators
- Lions
- Leopards
- Spotted hyenas
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and hybridization with plains zebras
HabitatsMountain slopes, rocky hillsides, and arid plateaus
Life span20 to 25 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyEquidae
- SpeciesEquus zebra
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Can deliver powerful kicks and bites if cornered; keep a safe distance of at least 50 meters.
- Why it is dangerous
- Weighing up to 370 kilograms, these wild equids can charge, kick, or bite with enough force to cause severe injury.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for the distinctive throat dewlap, white belly, and narrow stripes that do not meet under the torso.
- What to do
- Never approach on foot, especially when stallions are active or mares have young foals nearby.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their bold black-and-white stripes, orange-tinged muzzles, and preference for steep, rocky terrain.
- Support conservation
- Stick to designated park roads and avoid driving off-road, which degrades fragile mountain soils.
Responsible observation
- Use Binoculars: Observe their social interactions and unique stripe patterns from a respectful distance.
- Watch the Ears: Flattened ears indicate aggression or stress, signaling that you should back away.
- Respect Waterholes: Avoid blocking access to scarce mountain springs, which are vital for their survival.
Predator "African Lion" by Mathias Appel is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/. · cc0
Close Relative Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Rainbirder / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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