Strange
~ How a Mind Comprehends!
First seeing Zebras, I associated them with OPP vehicles cruisin' Rte.
53
where I lived as a child.
(Even 2 zebras confide,
Finding love in a herd of stripes can be tricky!)
Said the black and white beast I met at the zoo,
“The
last to be American born ~
Accordingly,” he said, “I was named Ze.
To Africa, my homeland, I deeply yearned!
Single-hoofed animals from genus Eques,
we're closely related to horses and donkeys.
Very social animals, we live in small harems and in large herds.
Our stripes, so unique, camouflage us in the long deep grass
distracting predators and keeping insects at bay.
Each of our stripes is unique ~ just as no 2 human fingerprints
on this planet are alike.
Foals recognize their mothers by the pattern of her stipes
as well as by scent and call.”
Species of Zebras
Grevy's, the Mountain and the Plains:
the latter of which is the most common.
“Speed
Demons,” and fast moving, we Zebras can reach speeds of 65 mph
when galloping 'cross the plains.
Foals can run with the herd within birth's few hours.
Dispersing more than 70 percent incoming heat,
our bodies permit us to not overheat from the African sun.
The Grevy Zebra Society is family-open,
the Plains and Mountain Zebras are more tight-law.
Living in harems are breeding females and their young
with
a dominate
male.
Each female has a place in the hierarchy.
In case of intruders or predators, fellow members will encircle it ~
try to scare it away with their teeth and hooves.
Like horses, groups come together in larger herds
with other grazers ~ maybe with wildebeasts.
The Plains Zebra is Africa's commonest with 32 species
and of the most familiar to safari-goers
between Serengeti and Masai Mara.
Highly social, they sleep close to neighbours
and can be awakened if a predator approaches.
Zebras communicate through vocal expressions:
they sniff and balk: position their ears and tail.
(Ears pulled backwards, when angry'
standing erect when feeling calm and friendly).
Average running is 40 mph and combined with excellent stamina,
they run in zig-zagging patterns ~ avoiding chase-predators.
Massive herds of tens of thousands are one of the world's
most inspiring migrations crossing the Serengeti Plains.
And How Did I Meet Bra?
Sailing abroad, I was in the ship's hold ~ way below decks.
We were fed long grasses and bundles of hay
and water a-plenty by the ship's crew.
One day, on deck (as a time respite) ~ this lovely female,
she came, lay beside me (while chewing my cud).
“What
is your name?” I inquiringly asked,
“My
name is BRA (a Brave
Romantic
Animal)
who's seeking new life, new lands, and new friends.
And what do you know about Africa?” she asked of me.
And thus our friendship began!
Together seeking luscious green stalks; at water's edge we met other
zebras.
Some days we feasted on shrubs, herbs ~ and from the trees
we garnered twigs, leaves, bark and sometimes some fruit.
The mating season's year round; gestation12-13 months ~
one
born foal, with muted brown stripes.
Mothers, very caring, keep other zebras away.
Foals are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after birth,
continuing to drink mother's milk for the first year of life.
And with their fathers, males form strong bonds.
About Threats to Zebras, Bra and I shall tell you.
The two biggest threats are habitat loss due to ranching and lack of
water.
And we zebras are hunted for our skins!
Climate change with droughts force us to congregate
at
remaining water sources which increases disease transmission.
(Blood-Sucking Horse Flies cause various diseases.)
Other
Truths:
The powerful backwards kick, given in self-defence, can break a
lion's jaw.
Like horses, we zebras have 4 gaits: walk, trot, canter and gallop.
During mutual grooming, we nibble the other's mane and neck,
reinforcing social bonds.
The
dominate
mare usually
leads the group ~ and others follow in single file according to rank
with their foal directly behind them. The stallion brings up the
rear, who may take the lead, if danger arises.
Scientists can now identify individual zebras in a scanner
that scans
the zebra's stripes (like a bar-code)
(The foregoing from the diaries of Ze and Bra)
Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 22, 2018
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