Stuffed Zebra & Facts

Stuffed Zebra & Facts

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A stuffed zebra toy is a wonderful alternative for a child that likes the idea of a horse, but is not all that fond of them. It's hard to imagine any child not liking horses, but for those that don't, a stuffed zebra is another option. Online stores have several stuffed zebra's two of which come with sound. If it's realism you're looking for, the online stores are the place to go.

There is no denying that zebras and horses do resemble each other, but they couldn't be more different. While both species are equids, and have teeth which have been designed for chewing and cutting grass, their appearances are just one thing that sets them apart. Despite having horselike bodies, a zebras mane is short with upright hair, unlike a horses mane, which is free flowing and can grow to long lengths. Zebras also have a tail that is tufted at the tip and their bodies are striped black and white. A horses tail is free flowing like its mane and outside of the Appaloosa breeds unusual two tone appearance, horses are generally one color.

There are three species of zebra all of which can be found in Africa. Living in east Africa is the Burchell zebra or as it is more widely known, the common or plains zebra. Grevy's zebras were named after a former president of France, Jules Grey, who, in 1880, received one as a gift Grevy's are mostly found living in Kenya and are the largest of the three species, in both height and weight. They also have much narrower and significantly more stripes than the Burchell species. The mountain zebra or Equus zebra, can mostly be found living in southern and southwestern Africa.
Burchell zebras typically live in savannas which can include anything from treeless grasslands to open woodlands. They are built much like a pony but their coat pattern including number and width of stripes - can be very different from one animal to the next. Their stripes act as a protection against predators by confusing them and distorting their distance when they hunt at dawn or in the evening. In addition, their coats help to consume 70% of the heat.

Some other interesting but lesser known facts about zebras is that Grevy zebra's were once called hippotigris by the Romans who trained them to pull carts with two wheels so as to use them for exhibition in circuses. And, when looking at many zebras at the same time, they likely all look the same, however, their stripes are no different than a human fingerprint which means no two are alike. A zebra can be identified by a scientist by comparing stripe widths, patterns, color, and scars.

When choosing a stuffed zebra, it won't make any difference as to whether or not you know which species it is. As long as the stuffed zebra has the signature black and white stripes and short mane, you're on the right track.

About the Author:
Angeline Hope is a collector of giant stuffed animals. You can view a selection of giant stuffed animals including zebra stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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