The Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) is one of the most sought after plains game animals to target on a game hunting safari in Africa. They are a sub-species of the plains zebra and also known as the bontequagga, Damaraland zebra, and the Zululand zebra. Their range includes areas centered north of the Orange river system, it extends northwest via southern Botswana to Etosha and the Kaokoveld, southeast to Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Available to hunt in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia, this large antelope’s status is “near threatened” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) conservation listing.

The Burchell’s zebra prefers habitats such as open woodlands and grasslands, as well as areas without too many dense shrubs or trees. They live in small family groups of between 1-6 members. These family groups will join with others to form a larger herd several times during the year, but they will stay together within the larger herd. Breeding happens throughout the year, with one foal being born after a gestation period of 12 months.

They are herbivores that mainly consume grass but will also eat herbs, twigs, and leaves. Zebras are water dependent and therefore known to stay within a 12km radius of a waterhole.

The Burchell’s zebra uses its magnificent coat to aid it in camouflaging from a range of predators, not only man in search of the perfect game hunting trophy! Predators include large carnivores such as lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, and leopards. The Nile crocodile will also hunt any zebras that enter their territories looking to parch their thirst after a long hot day in the wild.

When preyed on by large carnivores, the zebra will flee, but will stand its ground and defend itself against smaller predators. Take note that this antelope isn’t just a pretty coat, it has a mean bite and a kick that can leave a predator in its dust – or even dead.