Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Zebras are hoofed animals that resemble horses, but they have black fur with white stripes on their bodies. Hartmann’s mountain zebras are the smallest subspecies of zebra. They are distinct from the plains zebra, as their stripes do not meet on their belly.

Range & Habitat

Hartmann’s mountain zebras live in dry, rocky areas and semi-wooded grasslands. Their home range is limited to southwestern Angola and the coastal mountains of Namibia.

Behavior

This zebra subspecies is known for taking dust baths to help keep their skin cool and protected from insects. By rolling in dust and mud, Hartmann’s mountain zebras create shallow depressions in the ground, which become small habitats for native vegetation.

Unlike plains zebras which live in large herds, Hartmann’s mountain zebras form small herds consisting of one male and up to five females. In the wild, young males will often live solitarily for a few years.

During the hottest part of the year, these zebras move to higher elevation areas. In cooler months, Hartmann’s mountain zebras browse lowland savanna and scrubland habitats

Diet

Hartmann’s mountain zebras are herbivores. They eat grasses, shrubs, and leaves.

Conservation

The greatest threat to Hartmann’s mountain zebras is habitat loss and fragmentation due to livestock and agriculture. Though they are found in protected areas throughout their range, Hartmann’s mountain zebras may suffer conflict with humans if they wander into communities outside of the protected area. They are also vulnerable to illegal poaching and trapping for their meat and skins.

Fun Facts

• Hartmann’s mountain zebras have hard, pointed hooves that allow them to climb rocky terrain. These special hooves can also be used to dig under the surface for groundwater.
• Unlike other zebras, this subspecies has a dewlap, or a flap of skin that hangs, under their neck.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Females: Rose (born: 4/17/2004), Ruuxa (“Rue”, born: 1/15/2016) & Abbey (born: 11/1/2000)