The Plains Zebra or Common Zebra (Equus quagga) is a member of the horse family indigenous to the plains of Africa. It is available in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The Plains Zebra is one of three species of zebra that are indigenous to Africa, the other two being the larger Grevy's Zebra and the smaller Mountain Zebra. All species of zebra can be identified from other equids by the black-and-white striped markings across their body. In the Plains Zebra, these uniquely run all the way around the animals belly and, in some subspecies, may also feature faded shadow-stripes in between the regular stripes. The purpose of a zebra's stripes is debated, with proposed reasons including identification among individuals (as each zebra has its own unique stripe pattern), confusing predators in a herd or deterring flying insects.
The Plains Zebra lives on the African savannah and feeds almost exclusively on grass. They typically live in groups known as harems, consisting of a male and several females along with their young. These in turn can form other harems to become a herd.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Plains Zebra is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and is one of the earliest animals the player can take care of - in the base game, it is one of eight animals automatically available at the start of freeform mode. It is also present in a number of scenarios, including Seasideville Zoo, Forest Zoo and African Savannah Zoo.
The Plains Zebra is a relatively easy animal to care for. It is a savannah animal and requires only a small pool of water as additional terrain. They share the same ideal enclosure set-up as the Thomson's Gazelle and the two animals can be easily mixed. They breed easily and can tolerate small spaces, but they are not too popular with guests.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The Plains Zebra is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2, where it is known as the Common Zebra. It is once again a savannah animal and is unlocked after obtaining 1.5 stars in Campaign and Challenge mode. The zebra is featured in several scenarios, including one where the player must take a photo of a zebra using a scratching post.
The Common Zebra eats hay and can use the scratching post and salt lick. They are easy to mix with several other animals, such as the Thomson's Gazelle and African Buffalo, and will interact with these animals. It can also interbreed with the Quagga. In African Adventure, they can form herds and males will fight each other over females.
Zoopedia Entry[]
- Zebras may be able to recogonize other zebras by the pattern of stripes on their bodies.
- Although they are less cooperative than horses, zebras can be tamed and trained to pull carriages, but they are very difficult to ride.
- Zebras signal to each other with body language and sounds in the same way that domesticated horses do. Lowered ears, for example, show that a zebra is likely to kick, while a snort shows that it is alarmed.
- During the course of a day, a zebra herd may wander 12 miles (20 km) or more in search of food, usually returning to the same resting place each evening.
Other Games[]
DS Games[]
The plains zebra is an adoptable animal in both Zoo Tycoon DS and Zoo Tycoon 2 DS, where it functions much like its PC counterparts. In Zoo Tycoon 2 DS, it is identified simply as Zebra and is one of eight animals that can be adopted from the start.
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game[]
The plains zebra is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game and is one of the 23 "Main" species that can be adopted during the summer months. As a Main species, it possesses its own meeple. It is classed as a Level 1 ungulate and, as in previous games, is a savannah animal.
As a level 1 animal, the plains zebra can be adopted at any time without restriction. It is a social animal and requires at least four individuals to be happy. It can live as a herd led by a single male or as an all-male group. It is compatible with Co-Species and can be mixed with the Fischer's Lovebird, Meerkat, Blue Wildebeest or Dama Gazelle. It is also part of the Serengeti National Park Cooperation, alongside the Common Ostrich, Lion, Black Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest and Fischer's lovebird.
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game[]
Trivia[]
- According to the Zoopedia in Zoo Tycoon 2, the subspecies of common zebra in the game is the Grant's zebra (Equus burchellii boehmi). Since then, it has been changed to Equus quagga boehmi, alongside the other common zebra subspecies.
- In Zoo Tycoon games, zebras are easy to keep in mixed exhibits with other herbivores. However, in real life zebras are notoriously aggressive when kept alongside other animals in captivity and will frequently annoy giraffes or other hoofstock; this can be carefully managed in some facilities.
| Zoo Tycoon DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Buffalo • African Elephant • African Lion • African Warthog • American Bighorn Sheep • American Bison • Arctic Wolf • Bengal Tiger • Black Bear • Black Leopard • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Clouded Leopard • Common Wildebeest • Dromedary Camel • Emperor Penguin • Gemsbok • Giant Anteater • Giant Panda • Giraffe • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Hippopotamus • Ibex • Jaguar • Leopard • Lowland Gorilla • Mandrill • Markhor • Moose • Okapi • Olive Baboon • Ostrich • Plains Zebra • Polar Bear • Red Kangaroo • Saltwater Crocodile • Siberian Tiger • Snow Leopard • Spotted Hyena • Thomson's Gazelle • White Bengal Tiger |
| Unlockable Content | Asian Elephant • Kouprey • Onager • Orangutan • Unicorn |
| Zoo Tycoon 2 DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Elephant • Black Panther • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Dolphin • Dromedary Camel • Galapagos Giant Tortoise • Giant Sable Antelope • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Komodo Dragon • Lion • Masai Giraffe • Moose • Nile Crocodile • Ostrich • Orangutan • Polar Bear • Pygmy Hippopotamus • Red Kangaroo • Spanish Lynx • Wolverine • Zebra |
| Star Animals | American Beaver • Emperor Penguin • Giant Panda • Koala • Mountain Gorilla • Sea Otter |
| Amazing Animals | Saber-toothed Tiger • Triceratops • Unicorn • Yeti |