Special Sub-Topic: Mammals starting with Z Click Here To Play: Mammals starting with Z

Which of the following is a extinct subspecies of zebra?

Quagga. The last quagga died in Amsterdam zoo in 1883. The quagga was only striped on their forequarters. It used to be thought that they were a separate species but DNA testing has proved that they were actually a Plains zebra with unusual colouring. It is hoped that the quagga can be made to 'live again' though the selective breeding of Plains zebras.

How many species of zebra are there?

three. They are the Plains zebra, the Mountain zebra and Grevy's zebra. Of the three species, Grevy's zebra is the largest and it is more mule-like than the other two species. Probably only about 6,000 Grevy's zebra exist in the wild.

Which of the following is NOT a subspecies of the Plains zebra?

Rhodes zebra. The other subspecies of the Plains zebra are the Selous and the Burchells. The sixth species, the Quagga, is extinct.

Can a mating between two different species of zebras produce viable offspring (offspring that can reproduce)?

No. If two of the subspecies of the same species mate (for example, a Grants/Chapmans cross) viable offspring is produced. However if a Plains zebra mates with a Mountain Zebra, their offspring is sterile. This is because the three species each have a different chromosome count.

What sort of animal is a zebu?

A domesticated ox. The zebu is found in Asia and Eastern Africa. It has a prominent hump and large dewlap.

What is another name for the zeren?

Mongolian gazelle. Also spelt dzeren - the name is the Russian form of the Mongolian name for the animal 'zeer'. These gazelles graze in large herds on the Great Eastern plains of Mongolia.

What sort of animal is the common zorro?

A fox. The common zorro is also called the crab-eating fox, the zorro de monte and the zorro perro.

Where does the common zorro live?

South America. The zorro is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

What sort of animal is a zorilla?

A small carnivore. Zorillas are related to weasels and skunks. The zorilla (Ictonyx zorilla) has black and white stripes and looks a bit like a skunk.

Where do zorillas live?

Africa. The zorilla is also called the mariput, the Cape polecat, or the African polecat.