The plains zebra (Equus quagga), Kruger National Park, South Africa

The plains zebra (Equus quagga) is the most common of the three distinct species of zebra. In case you are wondering, zebras have totally black skin, only their hair has white stripes.Like human fingerprints, each zebra's stripe pattern is unique, and zebras can be identified by their stripes.
In addition to providing camouflage, research has demonstrated that the zebra's stripped pattern actually serves to discourage biting flies. A useful trait on the Southern-African plains.

Zebras are highly social, and belong to one of two distinct social groups. Most live in harems which are made up of a single stallion, along with several mares and their offspring.
The rest make up herds of young male bachelors, who band together until they reach full maturity and form harems of their own.
Stallions typically obduct young females from their herds when they reach sexual maturity. The young female's dad typically defends the females of his heard from outside stallions.

Young female zebras may temporarily join several harems until they become pregnant, at which point they will permanently stick with the father's harem.

We photographed this zebra during our self-drive Safari at Kruger National Park in South Africa. Read more in our post, Drive Yourself on a Budget Safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa.