What Is a Zebra?
A zebra is a mammal. It has fur, breathes air and is part of the horse family.
Zebras eat grass. They live in grassy places in Africa.
Zebra
A zebra is a wild animal from Africa. It looks like a horse with black and white stripes. It has four legs, a mane and a tail.
Fun Facts About Zebras
- A baby zebra is called a foal.
- Every zebra has its own stripe pattern.
- A group of zebras is called a herd.
- Zebras can run fast.
Easy learning for little ones
Talk and Move
Try one short prompt at a time. Children can point, speak or copy the movement.
- 1
Point to the zebra's stripes.
- 2
Say āzebraā and find black and white.
- 3
Pretend to trot gently like a zebra.
Home, Food and Movement
- Home: grasslands in Africa
- Food: grass and leaves
- Movement: walks, trots and runs
- Sound: barks, snorts and brays
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a zebra.
Medium: The zebra has black stripes.
Challenge: The zebra eats grass with its herd.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Make a stripy zebra picture.
- Draw a zebra shape.
- Add four legs, two ears and a tail.
- Draw black stripes on its body.
- Tell a grown-up what your zebra eats.
This activity helps children draw, speak and notice patterns.
Zebra Body Parts
- Ears: help the zebra hear
- Mane: short hair along its neck
- Stripes: black and white lines on its fur
- Hooves: help it walk and run
- Tail: helps brush away flies
Look and Think
- What colours can you see?
- Can you point to the stripes?
- How many legs does the zebra have?
- Can you find its tail?
Learning Safely About Zebras
- Zebras are wild animals. Never go near one.
- Never touch or feed a zebra.
- Stay with a grown-up at the zoo.
- Always stay behind the safety fence.
Compare and Think
- Zebra and horse: both have hooves, but a zebra has stripes
- Zebra and giraffe: both eat plants, but a giraffe has a long neck
- Zebra and tiger: both have stripes, but a zebra eats grass
Life in a Zebra Herd
Zebras often live together in a herd. They walk, eat and rest near one another.
A mother zebra looks after her foal. The foal stays close while it grows.
Why Zebras Need Protection
Zebras need safe grasslands, food and clean water.
People can protect the land where zebras live.
Zebra Words to Learn
- Foal: a baby zebra
- Herd: a group of zebras
- Stripes: lines on a zebraās fur
- Hoof: the hard end of a zebraās foot
- Habitat: an animalās home
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
What colours are a zebraās stripes?
Answer
They are black and white.
Q2
What does a zebra eat?
Answer
A zebra eats grass and leaves.
Q3
What is a baby zebra called?
Answer
A baby zebra is called a foal.
Q4
What is a group of zebras called?
Answer
A group of zebras is called a herd.