Plains zebras are the backbone of almost every African area. They're easy to keep, they look amazing in a big savanna, and in the wildlife reserve they're the grazer a grassland ecosystem needs. The babies are adorable too, with fluffy ears and a habit of getting into places they shouldn't.
Group size
- One male with up to five females.
- The minimum group is three. One male and two females is a fine start.
On the market, zebras can sell out quickly in Franchise because other players adopt from the same shared market. If you see a good group with no red traits, grab it.
Building the habitat
Zebras are not demanding:
- Grassland terrain with a mix of grass types.
- Clean drinking water. A water hole needs a pump to stay clean. If you just want a quick fix, a drinking station works.
- Some shelter for the wet season.
- A barrier of the right height for the herd.
Watch the foals
Zebra foals will jump onto low rocks and structures, and from there they can sometimes get over the fence. I had foals escape this way. If you've placed rocks near the edge:
- Open the traversable area heat map.
- Raise the fence wherever a rock gives them a step up.
- Or move the rock further inside the habitat.
I also once found a zebra standing on top of a structure I thought was purely decoration. If it's in the habitat, assume they can reach it.
Enrichment
Zebras want herbivore food-based enrichment and some toys like balls. Research behaviour and herbivore enrichment at the research centre to open up more options.
Mixed savanna
Zebras are the easiest animal to build a mixed habitat around. Good partners include:
- Black wildebeest and springbok
- Nyala
- Cape buffalo
- Later on, giraffes
Mixed habitats unlock thriving relationships between species, so a big mixed savanna is great for welfare as well as looks. Check the cohabitation list in the Zoopedia before adding a new species.
Release groups
A mixed group of 1 male + 3 females went into the Great Rift Valley reserve without any problems. Zebras count as a grazer, which the grassland ecosystem needs alongside soil rooters like meerkats and aardvarks.
Zebra research is blocked until you release some, so do your first release early.
Rescue zebras in Career mode
In the South Africa career zoo, rescued zebras arrive at the rehabilitation centre. You'll research their behaviour and herbivore food-based enrichment to look after them, which is a nice way to learn how research unlocks new enrichment items.