Did you know that a group of zebras is called a dazzle?
While zebras may be numerous on the African plains, we never tire of watching them. Their beautifully-decorated bodies, combined with their fascinating and entertaining behaviors, make them a truly endearing creature.
There are only six surviving horse species in the world and three of them are zebras. The Burchell’s Zebra (shown here) is the most common and can be found throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. Compared with other species, the Burchell’s has rather broad stripes, but the color of those stripes can vary quite a bit depending on their location. In Southern Africa for example, individuals exhibit shadow stripes between the large black stripes on their torso, and you can see that effect in the zebras in this gallery. Baby zebras are much fuzzier and have a reddish-brown hue in their stripes. And, of course, the stripe pattern on every zebra is unique, just like your finger print.
This Burchell’s zebra photo gallery includes pictures taken during various seasons in Kruger National Park, South Africa and in Etosha National Park, Namibia. We hope you enjoy this dazzling dazzle of zebras. (All photos by Cristina Garcia and Hal Brindley.)
Mutual head-resting strengthens the bond between a zebra and her foal.
Zebra stallions will aggressively bite their opponent’s head and neck during a quarrel.
The tattooed horse.
A dazzle of zebras grazing on a stormy evening in Etosha, Namibia
A constant parade of zebras visit the Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha.
Zebras make a stop at Twee Palms waterhole in Etosha, Namibia
When the sun sets, it’s time to stay alert for lions.
Stripe patterns may make it difficult for predators to single out an individual from a group. Notice the shadow stripes on these zebras in Namibia.
Lions don’t generally hunt during the day but this zebra still maintains a wide berth.
Not all lion attacks are successful. Claw marks are clearly visible on this survivor’s back side.
This mother survived an attack (as evidenced by her healed scars) and lived on to raise a foal.
We usually call baby zebras “fuzzy butts” because of the soft furry hair that stands tall on their rear ends.
When a fight gets especially serious between two stallions, the biting escalates to kicking.
A row of drinking zebras is truly one of the most dazzling sights in the African savannah.
That’s all folks!
Which photo is your favorite?
Other Photo Galleries
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Lion cub and mother. Kruger National Park
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Zoologist and amateur wildlife photographer. She has worked in the field with jackals, wolves, cheetahs & leopards. Due to her habit of dissecting every poo she finds on the trail, her friends refer to her as a poo-logist. Her travel memoir Dual Nature about traveling around Africa with a stranger will be published in 2013.
All these photos are amazing, but I think I like the last one the best. I can’t decide if the zebra is laughing or not!
Barbara Weibel recently posted..PHOTO: A Gorgeous Night on La Rambla, the Main Plaza in the Old Town of Figueres, Spain
Thanks! We think it was yawning but we can’ really remember. Looks pretty funny whatever it is doing.
Wow, amazing photos! I love the closeup of the zebra looking straight into the camera. It’s not an angle you see very often and it makes their markings all that more pronounced.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..INTERVIEW: Bully Director Lee Hirsch on His Controversial Anti Bullying Project
Hi Mary!
I think that is my favorite! I find it powerful and intimate at the same time.
Cristina,
Incredible pictures as it is now customary from Travel4Wildlife. I specially love the close up picture. In Shamwari we had the opportunity to see some mean fighting between stallions, aiming for head and neck as you mention and also testicles. Our guide told us that they try to fight off competition by neutering the opponent. I wonder if any other animals use this tactic.
Once again, congratulations for a breathtaking gallery.
Jordi
Awww thanks Jordi! Aiming for testicles!!?? wow, never heard of that!
The quality of the picture is nowhere near your wildlife photos, but here you have two stallions viciously going at it. You need to through in some imagination but that’s what it was going on: Testy hunting.
Testy hunting? That must hurt!
Amazing quality photos – I never knew a group of Zebras was called a Dazzle! You learn something new every day.
Would love to jet off to Southern Africa right now to see them close up in real life.
Thanks Lucy! Do it! Southern Africa is amazing.