Zebras and Horses

By: Nathan 7B

Did you know that zebras and horses are in the same family? Horses and zebras are both large herbivores that live in different places around the world. Horses can usually be found in farms or other agricultural places. On the other hand, zebras can be located in Africa in the savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands. People used to use horses to travel around, but now most horses are used for tourism or means of having fun like horse riding. On the other hand, zebras can’t be ridden because their backs are too flat and their small size. This essay will explain the differences and similarities of the body or physical appearance and behaviors of the horse and the zebra. Thus, by knowing these facts we can easily classify a horse and a zebra.

What are the similarities between the body of horses and zebras? The first similarity is that both of them have hooves. Horses and zebras have a single toe surrounded by a hoof. Horses and zebras’ hooves are made of keratin, the same material found in human nails. The next similarity is both of them having the similar number of teeth. Horses and zebras’ have large heads with long nasal bones that have a similar number of teeth and they have between 40-42 teeth. The last similarity is both having manes with different benefits. A horse’s mane provides shade on a hot day or insulate the horse on a cold day. A zebra’s mane is a good indicator of fitness because zebra’s bellies stay swollen with gas and make the animal looks fat, but it could be starving. Those are the three similarities between the body of horses and zebras.

What are the differences between the body of horses and zebras? The first difference is their size and weight. Zebras are smaller and weigh less compared to horses. Most people believe that zebras are faster that horses because of their small size and weight. Despite the size of the zebra, they are slower than horses. The next differences are that zebras have short tails, long ears, and flatbacks. Which makes them more of a donkey than a horse. The last difference is the color scheme of a horse and a zebra. Common horse coat colors are gray and black. Horses' coat colors are derived from one of two possible base pigments: red or black, which means that every horse has a gene for either of these pigments. Zebras are generally thought to have white coats with black and sometimes brown stripes. That's because if you look at most zebras, the stripes end on their belly and toward the inside of the legs, and the rest is all white. Those are the three differences between the body of horses and zebras.

What is the difference between the behavior of horses and zebras? The first difference is that zebras being out of control and aggressive. Zebras tend to be more aggressive than horses and it is rare to find a tamed zebra. One reason they are so hard to tame is because of its nature. Usually, when a predator like a lion approaches them, they would run or attack it and similarly humans are predators. So, taming a zebra would take as long as waiting for Christmas. The next difference is that horses can live in a herd of three to five. On the other hand, zebras prefer herds that have over a thousand zebras. They do this to mostly protect their young, graze together, and even groom one an another. Those are the two differences between the behavior of horses and zebras.

Even though horses and zebras are in the same family they can be very different. There are a lot of differences about they’re body or behavior. The differences for the body are size and height, short tails, long ears, and flatbacks, and color scheme. The differences for behavior are zebras being aggressive and having huge herds. However, there are still some similarities between these two majestic creatures. These similarities can be found on the body as stated in earlier paragraphs, which are hooves, number of teeth, and manes. These are all the similarities and differences I can find. Therefore, concluding this essay about two very interesting animals.

Bibliography

12 most common horse colors: Patterns, markings, & pictures. (2020, May 26). Bil. https://horseracingsense.com/12-common-horse-colors-patterns-pictures/

What do horses and zebras have in common? Plus 5 differences. (2020a, July 9). Bil. https://horseracingsense.com/what-horses-and-zebras-have-common-different/

What do horses and zebras have in common? Plus 5 differences. (2020b, July 9). Bil. https://horseracingsense.com/what-horses-and-zebras-have-common-different/

Zebra. (n.d.). San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/zebra