The Quagga (Equus quagga quagga) was a subspecies of the plains zebra that once roamed the grasslands
of
southern Africa. This unique animal is particularly notable for its appearance, which combined
features of both zebras and horses. The quagga's most distinctive trait was its coat: while its
front half had the characteristic bold black-and-white stripes of a zebra, its hindquarters were
brownish with little to no striping. This gradual fading of stripes towards the back set the quagga
apart from other zebras. The quagga was roughly the
size of a donkey, with a long face, short legs, and a body shape that resembled a horse more
than a zebra.
This is the only ever photographed quagga. They have a very distinct look that
almost looks fake. A mix of to species of
horse. This unusual pattern led to it being a favored trophy kill when hunting.
Quaggas were herbivores that inhabited the open grasslands and savannas of South Africa, where they grazed
on grasses and shrubs. Like other zebra species, they were social animals and lived in herds. These herds
were often led by a dominant male, and the group would travel together in search of food and water. The
quagga was well adapted to the harsh environments of southern Africa, where it survived on a diet of
grasses, and would likely have been part of the larger herbivore community that included species like
wildebeests and antelope. Despite their zebra ancestry, quaggas were less aggressive and more docile, a
characteristic that may have contributed to their eventual extinction.
The Quagga Project is trying to bring back a "Quagga like" species using selective
breeding of Plains Zebras in order to get a coat pattern very similar to the original
quaggas.
How did the Quaggas die out?
The extinction of the quagga is attributed to human activities, particularly overhunting and habitat loss.
European settlers, arriving in southern Africa during the 17th century, began hunting the quagga for its
meat and hide. At the same time, the expansion of farming and agriculture led to the destruction of the
quagga's natural habitat, making it increasingly difficult for the animals to survive. By the early 19th
century, their population had dwindled significantly. The last known wild quagga was shot in the
1870s, and the last surviving captive quagga, housed in the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, died in 1883.
Animal Facts:
- Height: 4-4.5 ft
- Weight: 550-660 lb
- Age: 20-40 years
- Territory: Southern Africa
