Grevy’s Zebra
Equus grevyi
🦓
Chordata
Mammalia
Perissodactyla
Equoidea
Equidae
Equus
Equus grevyi
The Grevy’s Zebra, Equus grevyi, is the largest and most endangered of all zebras, renowned for its narrow stripes, tall stature, and striking elegance. Native to the arid grasslands of Kenya and Ethiopia, it represents the last survivor of an ancient lineage of wild equids adapted to dry savanna ecosystems.
Description
Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi) — Taller and more finely built than other zebra species, the Grevy’s Zebra is easily identified by its thin, closely spaced stripes, white belly, and large rounded ears. Adults can reach 1.5 m at the shoulder and weigh between 350–450 kg, making it the largest living wild equid.
Unlike the Plains and Mountain Zebras, E. grevyi is adapted to semi-arid habitats, often wandering between scrublands and dry grass plains in search of water and forage. Its stripes serve not only as camouflage but also as a heat-regulating mechanism in harsh climates. Socially, Grevy’s Zebras form loose, fluid groups rather than stable herds — males maintain territories around water sources while females and foals roam widely.
Fossil evidence places the lineage of E. grevyi in East Africa’s Pleistocene deposits, marking it as one of the most ancient zebra forms still extant. Its decline in recent centuries stems from habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock for scarce water and grazing.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
350
1.5
2.25
2.8
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Omnivores – Balanced
Hunt History
Ancient and prehistoric peoples of the Horn of Africa hunted Equus grevyi for its meat and hides, with evidence suggesting exploitation extending back to the Late Pleistocene. Indigenous pastoralist groups later hunted it selectively, using bows and spears for food and ceremonial purposes. In the 19th century, European hunters and ivory traders further decimated populations — the species was named after French President Jules Grévy, who received one as a gift in 1882, symbolizing colonial fascination with Africa’s megafauna.
Earliest Archaeological Evidence of Human Predation:
Goda Buticha, Ethiopia – Late Pleistocene layers (~40,000 BP) containing zebra remains attributed to E. grevyi, with cut marks from stone tools.
Olorgesailie Basin, Kenya – Middle Stone Age (~200,000 BP) faunal assemblages include Equus cf. grevyi remains showing butchery evidence.
Melka Kunture, Ethiopia – Upper Pleistocene (~25,000 BP) site with zebra bones in direct association with human hearths and lithic tools.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Extant
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
0
BP
Late Pleistocene
Africa
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Medium
Fat %
5
Est. Renderable Fat
17.5
kg
Targeted Organs
Visceral & subcutaneous
Adipose Depots
Visceral/subcutaneous (general)
Preferred Cuts
Visceral depot
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
3