It is hard to guess what a Plains zebra weights. But we have the answer:
An adult Plains zebra (Equus quagga) on average weights 400 kg (881.85 lbs).
The Plains zebra is from the family Equidae (genus: Equus). They can live for up to 20 years. When reaching adult age, they grow up to 2.25 meter (7′ 5″).
As a reference: An average human weights in at 62 kg (137 lbs) and reaches an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″). Humans spend 280 days (40 weeks) in the womb of their mother and reach around 75 years of age.
The plains zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchellii), also known as the common zebra, is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. Its range is fragmented, but spans much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. Six subspecies have been recognised including the extinct quagga which was thought to be a separate species. However, more recent research supports variations in zebra populations being clines rather than subspecies.The plains zebra is intermediate in size between the larger Grévy’s zebra and the smaller mountain zebra; and tends to have broader stripes than both. Great variation in coat patterns exists between clines and individuals. The plain zebra’s habitat is generally, but not exclusively, treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, both tropical and temperate. They generally avoid desert, dense rainforest, and permanent wetlands. Zebras are preyed upon by lions and spotted hyenas and to a lesser extent crocodiles, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. The plains zebra is a highly social species, forming harems with a single stallion, several mares, and their recent offspring; bachelor groups also form. Groups may come together to form herds. The animals keep watch for predators; they bark or snort when they see a predator, and the harem stallion attacks predators to defend his harem.The plains zebra remains common in game reserves, but is threatened by human activities such as hunting for its meat and hide, as well as competition with livestock and encroachment by farming on much of its habitat. The species population is stable and not endangered, though populations in most countries have declined sharply. As of 2016, the plains zebra is classified as near threatened by IUCN.
Animals of the same family as a Plains zebra
We found other animals of the Equidae family:
- Equus onager bringing 205 kilos (451.95 lbs) to the scale
- Kiang bringing 280.57 kilos (618.55 lbs) to the scale
- Mountain zebra bringing 279.73 kilos (616.7 lbs) to the scale
- Asinus bringing 172.5 kilos (380.3 lbs) to the scale
- Onager bringing 235.62 kilos (519.45 lbs) to the scale
- Grévy’s zebra bringing 405.5 kilos (893.97 lbs) to the scale
- Burchell’s zebra bringing 278.08 kilos (613.06 lbs) to the scale
- Horse bringing 401.8 kilos (885.82 lbs) to the scale
Animals with the same weight as a Plains zebra
As a comparison, here are some other animals that weight as much as the Equus quagga:
- Pygmy sperm whale with a weight of 431.25 kilos (950.74 lbs)
- West Indian manatee with a weight of 467.16 kilos (1029.91 lbs)
- Moose with a weight of 471.45 kilos (1039.37 lbs)
- Grévy’s zebra with a weight of 405.5 kilos (893.97 lbs)
- Steller sea lion with a weight of 383.23 kilos (844.88 lbs)
- Leopard seal with a weight of 352.84 kilos (777.88 lbs)
- Polar bear with a weight of 373.35 kilos (823.09 lbs)
- Risso’s dolphin with a weight of 387.25 kilos (853.74 lbs)
- Horse with a weight of 401.8 kilos (885.82 lbs)
- Weddell seal with a weight of 400 kilos (881.85 lbs)
Animals with the same life expectancy as a Plains zebra
Completely different animals, but becoming as old as a Plains zebra:
- Giant forest hog with an average maximal age of 18 years
- Bontebok with an average maximal age of 21.67 years
- Binturong with an average maximal age of 22.67 years
- Yellow-backed duiker with an average maximal age of 17.25 years
- Allen’s swamp monkey with an average maximal age of 23 years
- Keen’s myotis with an average maximal age of 18.5 years
- Moustached guenon with an average maximal age of 23 years
- Mediterranean monk seal with an average maximal age of 23.67 years
- Black-fronted duiker with an average maximal age of 19.67 years
- L’Hoest’s monkey with an average maximal age of 16 years