Zebras - Disney Animals

Walt Disney World Resort is home to 3 unique types of zebra—Grevy’s zebras, Hartmann’s mountain zebras and plains zebras. Look for Grevy’s zebras trekking along the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Hartmann’s mountain zebras on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Catch Hartmann’s mountain and plains zebras gracefully grazing on the lush savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Zebras in the Wild
Zebras can be found in shrublands, savannas, mountains and plains across Sub-Saharan Africa. Many zebras congregate in large herds referred to as “dazzles” for protection. While some species form smaller, secluded populations, others participate in one of the world’s largest animal migrations, traveling across the Serengeti--an African superhighway for thousands of animals who relocate each year to find better grazing.

Using cutting-edge research and knowledge of the zebra’s natural history, Disney's animal care experts keep herds happy.

One of a Kind
Just like a human’s fingerprints, no 2 sets of zebra stripes are the same. Animal care experts can even tell individual zebras apart based upon these unique black and white patterns, “reading” them more or less like a barcode. The thickness of the stripes, as well as their location on the hindquarters, nose and belly, also help indicate which zebra species it is.

Graze for Days
Much like their wild counterparts, the zebras at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge enjoy a diet rich in vegetation and fresh greens. The wide variety of plants that the zebras are provided compares to the bountiful options they would encounter in the wild.

An Enriching Experience
Zebras are provided with daily enrichment to encourage natural behaviors and stimulate the senses. Enrichment often takes the form of special snacks placed throughout the exhibit to encourage the zebras to forage and graze. Other types of enrichment involve introducing new scents into the air for the zebras to investigate or new objects for the zebras to manipulate.

Stationing and Training
Training sessions involve using favorite foods to encourage zebras to learn specific behaviors. This helps Disney’s animal care experts monitor the health of each zebra and make check-ups a stress-free experience. Some of the skills our zebras learn include stationing on a scale so their weight can be recorded and trained behaviors to improve hoof health.

Be in the Know About H2O
Freshwater is a precious resource for zebras and humans alike. Here are 2 small changes that you can make to use water responsibly and make a difference for wildlife: turn off running water when it’s not in use and water your lawn sparingly.

Support Wildlife Corridors
Wildlife corridors provide a safe way to reconnect populations of wild animals like zebras that have been separated by the construction of roads and other human-made structures. Protect nature by learning more about habitat fragmentation near you and support local initiatives to remedy this issue.

Discover More
Check out these sites and special offerings to find out more about how Disney is helping protect wildlife including zebras and their natural habitats—and how you can make a difference:

• Dine with an Animal Specialist
• Disney Conservation Fund
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disneynature
• Savor the Savanna
• Sense of Africa
• Starlight Safari
• Wanyama Safari
• Wild Africa Trek