The Maneless zebra (Equus quagga borensis) is a subspecies of the Plains zebra spread over the northern parts of eastern Africa.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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GraminivoreIn zoology, a graminivore (not to be confused with a granivore) is an herbivorous animal that feeds primarily on grass. Graminivory is a form of g...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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BrowsingBrowsing is a type of herbivory in which an herbivore (or, more narrowly defined, a folivore) feeds on leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of high-growi...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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NomadicNomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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HerdingA herd is a social grouping of certain animals of the same species, either wild or domestic. The form of collective animal behavior associated with...
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Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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starts withThe Maneless zebra is intermediate in size. It is dumpy bodied with relatively short legs and a skull with a convex forehead and a somewhat concave nose profile. The neck is thicker in males than in females. The ears are upright and have rounded tips.
This subspecies ranges in northwestern Kenya (from Uasin Gishu and Lake Baringo) to the Karamoja district of Uganda. It is also found in eastern South Sudan, east of the White Nile (for example, in Boma National Park). The last remaining substantial population occurs in Kidepo Valley National Park. Plains zebras prefer to live in treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands. They generally avoid desert, dense rainforests, and permanent wetlands.
Little is known about the behavior of Manelss zebras. In general, Plains zebras are nomadic, non-territorial social animals that form permanent family units. Within a family unit, mutual grooming is a common activity, which is believed to enhance relationships between individuals. Grooming is generally performed between mothers and their young as well as siblings. In addition, Plains zebras often display their status and settle conflicts through grooming. These animals constantly keep watch for predators; they bark or snort when they see a predator and the harem stallion attacks, predators, to defend his harem. When in the presence of a lion, zebras remain alert and stand in a semi-circle at as much as 100 m (330 ft) and no less than 50 m (160 ft). Stallions sometimes try to drive lions away with bluff charges. To escape from predators, an adult zebra can run at 60-70 km/h (37-43 mph). Plains zebras are more active during the day and spend most of their time feeding. They also spend their time dust bathing, rubbing, drinking, and intermittent resting which is very brief. At night, their activity is subdued except when threatened by predators. They may rest or sleep laying down, while one individual keeps guard.
Plains zebras are grazing and browsing mammals, known to maintain a herbivorous (graminivorous, folivorous) diet, which is primarily composed of grasses and supplemented with herbs, leaves, and twigs.
Information about the reproductive habits of Manelss zebras is unknown. However, Plains zebras are polygynous, meaning a single dominant male controls and mates with a harem of females. During the mating season, males engage in harsh competition. However, if one of them gets a female, the "gentlemen's agreement" doesn't allow other males to mate with this female or lure her away. They may breed at any time of year. Most births are known to occur in January. A single foal is produced after 360-396 days of gestation. Plains zebras are born in a highly-developed state. As soon as born, the foals can stand. They begin taking grass by 1 week old. Young zebras are weaned at 7-11 months old, although the lactation period may last for as long as 16 months. Upon becoming independent at 1-3 years old, they disperse. At about 16-22 months old, the Plains zebras are ready to mate, although they don't do so until they are older. For example, males start mating only at 4 years old, when they are mature enough to defend their mating rights against other males and control a harem of females.
Plains zebras are threatened by hunting for their hide and meat, and habitat change from farming. They also compete with livestock for food and fencing blocks migration routes. Civil wars in some countries have also caused declines in zebra populations.
Presently, the Maneless zebra is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...