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Grevy's Zebra, Equus grevyi, The Living Desert

3,568 views · Published 11 February 2013 · 1:07 · Indexed 9 October 2026

Channel: Melvin Wei · 2013 · Pets & Animals

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The Grevy's zebra, or imperial zebra, is the largest of the 3 species of zebra, with the other two being the plains zebra and the mountain zebra. They are named after Jules Grevy, the President of the French Third Republic in office from 1879 to 1887. The imperial zebra is found in Kenya and Ethiopia. Compared to plains zebras and mountain zebras, it is the tallest, has larger ears, and narrower stripes. It is also the most endangered of the 3 species, with numbers being reduced from 15,000 in the 1970s to 3,000 now.

The Grevy's zebra lives in semi-arid grasslands where it feeds on grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees. It can survive for 5 days without water, unlike humans who can survive two days on average. Unlike plains and mountain zebras, the imperial zebra does not live in harems and is less social. Male territoriality and mother-foal relationships form the basis of the Grevy's social system.

The Grevy's zebra is the largest of all wild equines. It is up to 3 meters from head to tail and stands up to 1.6 meters at the shoulder, weighing up to 450 kg.

The Grevy's hindgut fermentation-based digestive system allows it to eat lower quality food than other ruminants in Africa. During droughts, Grevy's zebras will dig holes in the ground to access groundwater and defend their holes. Lions, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopards eat them. Intestinal parasites are also a threat to their lives.

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