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Zebra


Zebra
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-11
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-08-14 3:30
Viewed: 672
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Until this visit to the Oakland Zoo, I had never noticed the pretty markings on the zebra's ears.

Zebra
Equus burchelli bohmi

LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
Live in stable family groups of up to 17 animals headed by a single stallion (Sometimes two stallions are part of the group, but one will be dominant). Mares stay with the group; offspring leave. Females establish a dominance hierarchy. During travel, group is led by the dominant female and her foal, followed by other females in their order of dominance. Members recognize each other by sight primarily, but also by voice and smell. Families maintain close bonds even during extended migrations with thousands of other zebra and wildebeest. The family will slow its pace to allow weak ones to keep up; they don’t leave them. The stallion is the rear guard when the family flees from a predator. Zebras are gregarious under conditions of abundant food or around water holes. Males have displays, including a sort of barking whinny, that seem to minimize aggression at such times.

Males are not sexually mature until 5 to 6 years of age, although in zoos breeding may occur at 3 years of age. Until old enough to establish their own breeding groups, young males remain with their families or leave to form bachelor herds of 2 to 10 individuals. However, they retain good relationships with their fathers. Females have first estrous at 13-18 months but do not become fertile for another year. Young females have a characteristic stance during estrous which attracts nearby males who then attempt to abduct her. The abductor may have to fight her father to acquire her. She may be abducted by several males until she learns not to show estrous. This forceful removal from the family acts to prevent inbreeding.
Under ideal conditions, a female may produce a foal every year. One young is born after a gestation of 361-390 days (about one year). Newborn has brown stripes and is short-bodied and long-legged. Weight 66-76 pounds; height 33”. Female guards her baby from other members of the herd when it is first born, perhaps giving it time to learn her pattern of stripes. Foals are very attached to their mothers; bond lasts until birth of next foal. Life span is up to 28 years.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS:
Capable of running 40 mph. Zebras use hooves and teeth in defense. There is much discussion about the adaptive value of stripes, but none of the theories has consensus. One theory is that all those black and white stripes break up the shape and make it not so recognizable as prey; another is that the stripes of a herd exploding in all directions make it difficult for a predator to focus on one animal.

Source
goldfinchtr, marhowie, wallhalla15, liquidsunshine, Luc, hummingbird24 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice portrait, Manyee, also the colours in this picture are really nice.In nature I like the black and white's contrast too much and here is a beauty.Thanks for sharing with us:)

Hello Manyee

Not an easy shot with the B&W but you have done and excellent job on the exposure. Nice crisp, clear details. Well done. Thanks.

Hello Manyee! Very good exposure, DOF, details and sharpness. Excellent note. You've shown the zebras markings very well in this close-up shot, Well done.

Good shot Manyee,
Good detail and great POV. Nicely exposed. Well composed. good sharpness, good colours & Well captured, thanks for posting.

Very nice portrait, ManYee! I seem what you mean about getting well exposed images on this trip. The patterns are well contrasted and you did get a good POV. Very nicely done :-)

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2005-08-15 3:32]

Hi Manyee, I have no time to write a decent comment. I give to you the well deserved smily.

Day thought:
"The wise weigh their words on a scale with gold." (Unknown author)

Thank you for sharing pictures and notes and for the enjoyment which they give to me.

Manyee, very nice capture with great colours and sharpness/dof. Very good composition.

BR
Heinz

Hello Manyee,

A beautiful shot of this handsome zebra.

There is such a gentle look in its eye, how endearing.

Great details, contrasts, lighting, pose, and POV.

Very well done, and great note as usual.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-08-18 21:21]

Hello Manyee,
I like this great portrait the composition is beautifull, colours & light are superb.

Ps: thank you very much for your great comment about the Trek nature logo, i'll never forget that:
return to the wild & access to freedom...

My best regards,
Christian

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