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Lets start a new quiz based on mammals only.

Again, I will ask a question and wait for a few answers before fingering the correct answer.

Lets start with a loosner!

Q 1:

You often see Zebra without tails. What is the most common reason for this?

I'd guess the obvious reply, a close escape from a predator, that got the zebra's tail but nothing else.

Nope!

It could be either genetical or injury.

Since I'm yet to see a foal without a tail I would guess injury.

If not predator, it would be other Zebra.

It can't be stallions fighting, as I've seen plenty a mare without a tail.

Right here my guessing stops.

Hi

I will say bitten of by other zebra.

Hi

Fights as well as predators

Rasmus

Good one!

Yes, the most common reason for Zebra without tails is indeed fighting between males!

There are other reasons also, such as close escapes with predators and other injuries. You Will thus also see other animals such as kudu and even giraffe without tails or even shortened tails.

It is however more common to see male zebra without tails. The reason for this lies in their social structure. A dominant male owns a harem of females and will defend it aggressively. For a new male to be able to breed he has to defeat the dominant male. This causes serious fighting which often leads to severe injury.

When zebra fight they will not only kick and push, they will also bite. They have power full teeth and jaws, and the males even have elongated canines! A bite by a zebra is quite able to damage a tail and even to bite it off!

Q 2:

Zebras almost always look as if they are in good condition. They look fat, when other animals might look quite thin at the end of the dry season. Why is this?

You will never see a Zebra in a bad condition.

I will say it’s got something to do with their digestive system. They are always bloated and full of gas. Have you ever heard a zebra or horse running.

They might not be able to breakdown their fat reserves. A starving Zebra dies in a good condition.

Only Siva? Good try Siva!

Yes, it has much to do with their digestive system. Zebra has a hind gut fermentation system. That means that they do not chew the cud, as do ruminants such as buffalo etc.

OK, in plain language ... Zebra chew their food only once. The food then passes to the stomach, and most fermentation (by micro organisms) takes place in their gut.

This system means that they need a lot of food, since digestion is not as efficient as that of ruminants, who re-chew their food and who has more than one stomach.

Lots of food in a long gut, means that they have to have a big body (think rhino, elephant) with lots of space. And yes, they do often have lots of gas buildup in their long gut.

The advantage of this digestive system is that they are able to take advantage of lower grade of food than ruminants. And because they do not have to chew the cud, feeding takes less time.

You thus do not judge whether a Zebra is in a good condition by the size of its belly, but by ......

Q 3

By what are you able to judge that a Zebra is in bad shape?

It's teeth?

Only if it smiles!

Nope!

First thing that comes to my mind is the dung? Like with almost every other animal (incl. humans).

Reorganising computer room (and packing) here, so not a book in sight...

scrubby skin ?

By thier manes

By the condition of their coats?