<< Previous Next >>

Grevy's Zebras


Grevy's Zebras
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-12-23
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-08 8:00
Viewed: 8704
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is, in my opinion, the most handsome of the zebra family - Grevy's Zebra. I took this in Samburu National Park just after sunrise. Samburu is a good location to see northern/desert species - oryx, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and somali ostrich are all present in this park.

This is a scanned slide.

The Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi), sometimes known as the Imperial zebra, is the largest species of zebra. It is found in the wild in Kenya and Ethiopia. Compared to other zebras, it is tall, has large ears, and its stripes are narrower. The species is named after Jules Grévy, a president of France, who, in the 1880s, was given one by the government of Abyssinia. In certain regions of Kenya, the plains zebras and Grevy's zebras coexist.

The Grevy's zebra differs from the other two zebras in its primitive characteristics and different behaviour. It was the first zebra to emerge as a species. All members of the family are of the genus Equus, but the genus is commonly subdivided into four subgenera; Equus, Asinus, Hippotigris and Dolichohippus. The Plains zebra and Mountain zebra belong to Hippotigris, but the Grevy's zebra is the sole species of Dolichohippus. In many respects, it is more akin to the asses (Asinus). Nevertheless, DNA and molecular data show that zebras do indeed have monophyletic origins.

Grevy's zebra is the largest of all wild equines. It is 2.5-2.75 m (8-9 ft) from head to tail with a 38-75 cm (15-30 in) tail, and stands 1.45-1.6 m (4'7"-5'3") high at the shoulder. These zebras weigh 350-450 kg (770-990 lb). The stripes are narrow and close-set, being broader on the neck, and they extend to the hooves. The belly and the area around the base of the tail lack stripes. With all of the stripes closer together and thinner than most of the other zebras, it is easier to make a good escape and to hide from predators. The ears are very large, rounded, and conical. The head is large, long, and narrow, particularly mule-like in appearance. The mane is tall and erect; juveniles having a mane extending the length of the back.

Grevy's zebra feed mostly on grasses but they will also eat fruit, shrubs and bark. They may spend 60-80% of their days eating, depending on the availability of food. Their well adapted digestive system allows them to subsist on diets of lower nutritional quality than that necessary for herbivores. Also, Grevy's zebras require less water than other zebras.

Grevy's zebra is similar to the donkey in many ways. Behaviourally, for example, it has a social system characterised by small groups of adults associated for short time periods of a few months. Adult males spend their time mostly alone in territories of 2-12 km², which is considerably smaller than the territories of the wild asses. The social structure of the Grevy's zebra is well-adapted for the dry and arid scrubland and plains that it primarily inhabits, less for the more lush habitats used by the other zebras. It communicates over long distances.

The territories are marked by dung piles and females who wander within the territory mate solely with the resident male. Small bachelor herds are known. Like all zebras and asses, males fight amongst themselves over territory and females. The species is vocal during fights (an asinine characteristic), braying loudly. However unlike other zebras, territory holding Grevy zebra males will tolerate other males who wander in their territory possibly because non-resident males do not try to mate with the resident male's females nor interfere in his breeding activities.

The Grevy's zebra is considered endangered, partly due to hunting for its skin, which fetches a high price on the world market. Its also suffers habitat destruction, human disturbances at water holes and competition with domestic grazing animals. There are estimated to be 1,500 - 2,000 Grevy's zebra still living in the wild. They are, however, common in captivity.
uleko, mayuresh, jaycee, gerbilratz, nglen, gracious, Dis. Ac., CeltickRanger, boreocypriensis, maurydv, eng55, lovenature, eqshannon, SelenE, marhowie, cicindela has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: Big EarsJamesp 1 07-08 09:56
To Evelynn: ScrollJamesp 1 07-08 09:55
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-07-08 8:24]
  • [+]

Hello James,
What a splendid view of these two big-eared Zebras. Great details and colours and a really nice composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hello James,
what a fantastic shot,beautiful composition and pov,superb focusing having great details,
very well done,
tfs

Hi James,
I wonder how many photos you have squirreled away in your libraries. You seem to always be pulling out a great shot from somewhere deep in your archives. This one is wonderfully sharp. I love their big ears which must be unique to the Grevy.

I think wildlife photos almost always benefit from a low point of view. Of course that isn't always possible. But it can be kind of faked. If you just scroll this image up till most of the dark green is cropped out I think the image gains a lot more energy.????

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-07-08 10:12]

Hi James,

These Zebras really are exceptionally beautiful. The colors are magnificent - I love the splash of brown on the faces. Excellent details from head to toe. The ears are wonderful. A beautiful pair - can't believe this was scanned from a slide.

Jane

Hi James, magnificent animals, the colours and markings are so intense, excellent work to get the definition so well. I particularly like the markings on the noses... tfs regards h

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-07-08 11:34]

Hi James , I can see why you like this Zebra its a fine looking animal. which you have captured so well with first class detail and natural colours.they have very large shaped ears. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hello James,
They are handsome alright!
good pov on the head on pose of them in good sharpness, nice colour and details to share with us
many thanks
take care and regards
Tony

They look beautiful and pretty...Detail is perfect and very clear picture...I can not spot any difference between them. Look like twins....Well done again James, kind regards, Leyla

Hello James,

Vry good composition and razor sharpness.
good pov.

Gert

Splendida cattura, mi piace molto POV e la composizione verticale con le zembre orientate in direzioni opposte, ma con gli sguardi diretti verso il punto di ripresa, ottima definizione dei dettagli, molto belli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi James,
Very nice foto.
TFS
Mariusz

Hi James, my dear friend,
What cute zebras with a lovly posture. I love all zebras since they have an interesting pattern of black and white like ying-yung:D and also I admire their beutiful eyes like that of donkeys:p. TFS for these beauties.
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-07-09 1:35]

Hi James,
Very nice capture of this zebras.I liked exposure,lighting,details and composition a lot.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-07-09 4:14]

Hello james, Nice shot and lovely pair of animal. Superb sharpness and great focus. Ganesh

Beautiful shot, sorry, the comp's got a virus, and the techie's not oome in still!
Goldy

hello James

very beautiful shot woth fine POV & DOF, excelent focus
on the subjects, excellent sharpness and details,
superb luminosity and contrast of the image, TFS

Asbed

Hi James
This is a nice portrait of the Grevy's zebra. They have such large, fuzzy ears, they look like radar and probably work very well. The thick hair inside the ears would help keep insects out. Interesting note about the different species of zebra.

Excellent DOF, detail, lighting and composition.
TFS Janice

Your image plays some mind games as many such as this do, but usually those are created images of design..they give a slight appearance of movement. so being crystal clear and pin sharp really makes the image work! You're a practical man with a dynamically brilliant mind and super eye for patterns and timing!
Bob

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-07-09 12:21]

Hello James,
look at those ears! They look like stripy Mickey Mouse ears :-))
Very good photo.
The composition is superb.
Very sharp and detailed.
Excellent exposure.

Great work!

Joe

Hello James,
I'm used to see and edit the Burchell's zebra. So this 'new' zebra is really fun: compared to the former, this specie has funny Mickey Mouse ears,a brown patch on the nose and pajamas pants's stripes...:-)
Well done!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-07-10 5:06]

Hi James,
It's a beautiful photo. Expression you captured, frontal POV, lighting, color tones, background and composition look very good.
TFS
Greetings,
Selen

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-10 9:48]

Hello James

A lovely,stripey capture.
Very good eye contact with sharp focus and details.
The lighting is well handled.
Excellent pov and dof.
TFS

Rob

Great shot James,
Very good DOF/detail, color, exposure, and diffuse BG.
Well done,
Howard

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-07-15 4:50]

Hi James,
Wonderful shot of these Zebra duo in a fine pose. Very impressive sharpness, colours and details and I like the natural surrounding. The expression on their faces look so calm. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hehehe! On this photo these two zebra looks like Siamese-twins :) Nice and sharpn photo with good details.
Best greetings,
Radomir

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF