About
The Plains Zebra is an African equine with a black-and-white striped coat. Scientists have debated for over 150 years as to why Zebras have such stripes. Theories range from camouflage or a way of signaling members of their species, to methods of regulating their temperature. The most likely theory, however, is as a form of pest control, protecting Zebras from flies. By comparing Zebras to horses, their closest living relative, scientists found that horses were bitten by flies disproportionately more often than Zebras under the same conditions; leading them to conclude that stripes are far more than just decoration. Although Zebras can make noises, they also communicate with each other through facial expressions, moving their ears, sniffing and widening their eyes. When Zebras greet each other, they stick their ears straight up and push their faces forward. When they are frightened, their ears push forward, and when they are angry, their ears pull backward. At night, Zebras can lie down to sleep to reach a deeper, REM state of rest, however if they are sleeping during the day, wild Zebras will sleep while standing so they can be alert in the face of danger. Zebras can run up to 65km per hour. After six minutes of being born, Zebra foals can stand, after 20 minutes they can walk, and after 40 minutes they can run.
― In-game description