Zebras are iconic animals of the African savanna, instantly recognizable by their distinctive black and white stripes. They have specific terminology that reflects their social structures and biological classifications. Understanding these terms offers deeper insight into the lives of these striped equids.
The Term for Female Zebras
A female zebra is called a mare, a term also used for adult female horses. This reflects their close biological relationship within the Equidae family, which includes horses and asses.
Mares are central to zebra social structures, particularly in plains and mountain zebra herds, where they form stable family units with a dominant male and their offspring. They are protective mothers, caring for their young, called foals, for extended periods. A mare reaches maturity and can breed around 1.5 to 2 years old. The gestation period for a zebra mare is approximately 12 to 14 months, usually resulting in the birth of a single foal. This bond is crucial for the foal’s survival.
Other Zebra Group and Individual Names
An adult male zebra is called a stallion, a term also consistent with male horses and donkeys. Stallions often play a protective role within a herd, guarding mares and foals from predators and rival males. In plains and mountain zebra species, a stallion leads a harem consisting of several mares and their young, while Grévy’s zebras exhibit a more loosely associated social structure.
A young zebra is known as a foal, a term shared with young horses. Zebra foals are remarkably precocious, able to stand within 15 minutes of birth and run alongside their mothers within an hour. This rapid development is a survival adaptation, allowing them to escape predators quickly. Interestingly, foals are born with brown and white stripes that gradually darken to black as they mature, typically within 9 to 18 months.
More specific terms are used for young male and female zebras. A young male zebra is called a colt, while a young female zebra is known as a filly. These terms are generally used until the zebra reaches adulthood, around one year of age.
When zebras gather, they can be referred to by several collective nouns. The most common term is a “herd,” reflecting their social nature and tendency to live in groups. However, more descriptive and unique terms also exist, such as a “dazzle of zebras” or a “zeal of zebras.” The term “dazzle” is particularly evocative, possibly referring to the visual confusion created by a group of running, striped zebras. Other less common terms include a “troop” or “cohort” of zebras.