Overview
The plains zebra includes several subspecies; Grant's zebra (E. quagga boehmi) is the subspecies commonly kept on Texas ranches (industry usage; not confirmed by a primary source). [1]
Native range
East and southern Africa. [1]
Size
175–385 kg (plains zebra). [1]
Lifespan
~9–20 years wild; 35–40 years captive. [1]
Breeding & gestation
360–396 days. [1]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
Woven-wire game fence, 6–8 ft, without barbed wire is common for zebra, but no primary-source minimum was verified; 8-ft game fence is the TPWD deer standard. [2]
Natural diet
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Feed & supplementation
No verified species-specific protein % or mineral formula was found. Texas deer guidance (16–20% CP pellet; 13–16% CP for growth/reproduction) is sometimes used as a reference point but is not antelope-specific—work with a ruminant nutritionist/exotic vet. [3][4]
Common health issues & parasites
No verified species-specific list for this page; equids are hindgut fermenters—consult an equine/exotic vet.
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [5]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened. [6]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [7][8]
Sources
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Equus burchellii
- TPWD, Local Control Methods (deer damage): 8-ft woven-wire/high-tensile game fence
- TPWD, Specific Habitat Management Practices – White-tailed Deer (16–20% protein pellet; corn 7–10% CP)
- Tomeček, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Deer & goat co-management (6–7% CP maintenance; 13–16% CP growth/antlers/reproduction)
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Equus quagga (assessment page)
- TPWD Outdoor Annual – Nongame, Exotic & Other Species (exotic status in Texas)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.