Zebras Mating
Like many other species in the horse family, zebras show good signs of social behavior, and this is actually the basis for breeding and surviving within a herd in general. In order to discuss the specifics of zebras mating, we should start by analyzing the predominance of females over males and the creation of the so-called harems. Zebras live in groups of five or six mares with their foal, and they are protected by one or more stallions that is in charge of the security of the group. Thus, when danger comes from hyenas or other predators, the females will protect their young while the stallion will guard the flanks.
Zebras mating becomes possible for bachelor stallions when they get the chance to challenge and win over another breeding specimen. Variations do exist in terms of zebras mating depending on the subspecies. Thus. Grevy's zebras also known as the Imperial zebras are the biggest and most famous of the group, living in large areas in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and other lands in Eastern Africa. Because of the imbalance between excessive hunting and the low zebras mating rate, this species is in danger of extinction despite the laws meant to protect it. Poaching for the zebra skin is a sad but common practice in many African countries.
The zebras mating season begins in August and lasts until October, foals see the light of day in full rainy season when there is plenty of food and water to enjoy. Therefore, zebras mating habits are adapted to life in an arid area, actually, in the first months of life, zebra foals do not drink water, and they rely exclusively on their mothers' milk. Thus, the social behavior of zebras is both temporary and permanent depending on the sub-group we refer to. Plain and mountain zebras do live in separate female and male groups, whereas the Grevys do not create long term social bonds.
Zebras mating maturity is reached differently according to gender; thus, females become mature and ready to procreate when they turn three, whereas the males will not breed until they are five or six years of age. After birth, Grevy zebra mothers remain with their foals for around a year, and this represents the breeding interval for each mare: one foal every twelve months. With plain and mountain subspecies, the foals remain in the group with the mother and the herd stallion as permanent protectors.
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