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Animal Age

How old does a Plains zebra get? (age expectancy)

What is the maximal age a Plains zebra reaches?

An adult Plains zebra (Equus quagga) usually gets as old as 20 years.

When born, they weight 40 kg (88.18 lbs) and measure 8 cm (0′ 4″). They are a member of the Equidae family (genus: Equus). Fully grown, they reach a bodylength of 2.25 meter (7′ 5″).

As a reference: Usually, humans get as old as 100 years, with the average being around 75 years. After being carried in the belly of their mother for 280 days (40 weeks), they grow to an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″) and weight in at 62 kg (137 lbs), which is obviously highly individual.

A Plains zebra gets as old as 20 years

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

Not really brothers and sisters, but from the same biological family (Equidae):

Animals that reach the same age as Plains zebra

With an average age of 20 years, Plains zebra are in good companionship of the following animals:

Weighting as much as Plains zebra

A fully grown Plains zebra reaches around 400 kg (881.85 lbs). So do these animals: