Z is for Zebra #atozchallenge

A to Z April 2017  Challenge – Animals Birds & Insects Pantoum Poetry

Photo Credit

30 April 2017 – Z is for Zebra

Zebras are a species of African equids united by distinctive black and white stripes.
Unlike their closest relatives, horses, zebras have never been domesticated
Grevy’s Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are considered to be endangered species
They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds

Unlike their closest relatives, horses, zebras have never been domesticated
Zebras have excellent eyesight. It is believed that they can see in color
They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds
Like most ungulates, zebra’s eyes are on the sides of its head, giving a wide field of view

Zebras have excellent eyesight. It is believed that they can see in color
Zebras also have night vision, although not as advanced as that of most of their predators Like most ungulates, zebra’s eyes are on the sides of its head, giving a wide field of view
Zebras have excellent hearing and have larger, rounder ears than horses

Zebras also have night vision, although not as advanced as that of most of their predators
Like other ungulates, zebras can turn their ears in almost any direction
Zebras have excellent hearing and have larger, rounder ears than horses
In addition to superb eyesight and hearing, zebras have acute senses of smell and taste.

Like other ungulates, zebras can turn their ears in almost any direction
Like horses, zebras sleep standing up, only when others are around to warn off predators
In addition to superb eyesight and hearing, zebras have acute senses of smell and taste
Zebras feed almost entirely on grasses but occasionally eat shrubs, twigs, leaves and bark.

Like horses, zebras sleep standing up, only when others are around to warn off predators
Female zebras mature earlier than males, a mare may have her first foal by the age of three
Zebras feed almost entirely on grasses but occasionally eat shrubs, twigs, leaves and bark
Males (Stallion) are not able to breed until the age of five or six years old

Female zebras mature earlier than males, a mare may have her first foal by the age of three
Mares may give birth to one foal every twelve months. She nurses the foal for up to a year
Males (Stallion) are not able to breed until the age of five or six years old
Like horses, zebras are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after they are born.

Mares may give birth to one foal every twelve months. She nurses the foal for up to a year
Grevy’s Zebra and the Mountain Zebra are considered to be endangered species
Like horses, zebras are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after they are born
Zebras are a species of African equids united by distinctive black and white stripes.

Interesting theory about the Zebra Stripes – The black and white stripes may have one or several functions.

1.The vertical striping may help the zebra hide in the grass by disrupting its outline.

2. The stripes may help to confuse predators by motion dazzle—a group of zebras standing or moving close together may appear as one large mass of flickering stripes, making it more difficult for the lion to pick out a target.

3. The stripes may serve as visual cues and identification. Although the striping pattern is unique to each individual.

4. Experiments by different researchers indicate that the stripes are effective in attracting fewer flies, including blood-sucking tsetse flies and tabanid horseflies

5. Stripes may be used to cool the zebra. Air may move more quickly over black light-absorbing stripes while moving more slowly over white stripes.

Zebras have four gaits: walk, trot, canter, and gallop.

How to write Pantoum Poetry

http://shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/pantoum.html