Don’t you love these stripes? Like wrinkled stockings, it’s irresistible to think that the legs need pulling up. Each zebra has it’s own unique pattern and it’s interesting to spot the individuals from their distinctive markings. The purpose of these stripes has led to various theories – one is that is it may help regulate temperature. Another is camouflage, and from experience these animals have a way of blending into the landscape. The dazzle of the stripes may also make it more difficult for predators to target a single animal when grouped together in a herd.
Some years ago, there was a happy event with the birth of a zebra foal (born 19 July 2011) here at the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Above is a shot of Pa and the male foal; mother and another female complete the small herd. You’ll note their distinctive face patterns and how they differ especially the stripes below their eyes.
Perhaps the female, above (December 2012) is the mother of the foal. The lines below her eyes are cleanly and evenly spaced.
I’ve kept track of the family observing them over the last few years and through photographs can identify the individuals. Early in winter this year the group split and recently I photographed the alpha stallion with only one female and the assume that the young male is with the other.
The stallion above, photographed on 5 September this year and the female below. See how their face patterns match up with the early 2012 shots?
Wikipedia has the following information:
The Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) is a subspecies of mountain zebra that occurs in certain mountainous regions of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It is the smallest of all existing zebra species and also the most geographically restricted. Although once nearly driven to extinction, the population has now been increased by several conservation methods, and is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Nature on the Edge 
What a great and informative post. Thanks.
Beautiful animals and photos Liz. I can see that the distinctive markings and open habitats would be most helpful for field studies of social behavior and movement. Good to hear that they have been rescued from extinction. I’ll have to read more to find out how that was accomplished. Thanks!
Appreciate your comments, Nick. Yes very useful being able to identify individuals especially keeping track of the males which leave the natal herd. Fortunately conservation measures have paid off for this species – a link which may be of interest – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Zebra_National_Park Praise to the national parks board!
Wonderful pictures. Great to see these animals enjoying their habitiat
Thank you for pointing out the unique markings. When grouped together, the zebras do tend to blend into one and you lose track of individuals.
Very stocky and sturdy body in this species. I’ve always been fond of zebras!
Such an interesting and informative post, Liz. I love the first image. So cute!
Terrific shots. So interesting that the stripe patterns are unique, like fingerprints.
Lovely pictures of beautiful animals! Thanks.
They are elegant beasts! Love their patterns and really appreciate your posts! Thank you : )
Elegant indeed. I love the pattern along the spine where the stripes meet 🙂
To me the mountain zebras are even more beautiful than their plains zebra cousins, and your photos of them are enough to make any professional wildlife photographer green with envy, Liz!
Nice comments de Wets – thank you!
Adorable pictures of Zebra’s, they are very beautiful animals.
Thanks Lena.
Fantastic Liz! Love the post! The pics are really great! And…Yes! Now I can not help thinking about those legs! 🙂 🙂 Have a nice weekend!
Thanks Ilargia 🙂
Great post. I had always assumed the patterns were identical throughout the species. You have to wonder how the stripes were a selective advantage. Its a solution no other species has adopted.
Yes, its a strange evolutionary path towards the striped patterns – though in the shimmering heat of the African plains those stripes tend to blend into the mirage.
beautiful photos……
Thank you.
Ahh Liz how I envy you seeing, never mind being able to take photos of these lovely creatures.
Awh, sorry to make you feel green!
One day you need to visit the Mountain Zebra National Park – a wonderful place with plenty of Cape Mountain Zebras 🙂
It’s on the bucket list 🙂 one of these days.
I love those knobly knees in the first pic 🙂
A wonderful and informative post about these gorgeous creatures. It must be fascinating to keep up with the individuals of a family, hope they are all thriving.
The saga unfolds on this small family unit as i spotted the young male hanging out with a bontebok while the other female was in the vicinity looking quite pregnant. So the story continues 🙂 There is good news this week that the species’ numbers countrywide have recovered to 5000 and are no longer listed as vulnerable on IUCN’s data.