Zebras occur in all types of different habitat across Africa, from sea level to 4000 meters of altitude in Mount Kenya.

It is a migratory species and the territories it covers vary, depending on resource abundance or changes on habitat quality, subject as well to the dry or rainy season. According to IUCN data, the Serengeti zebras cover distances of approximately 1000km² every year, while the zebras in Kruger cover from 49 to 560km². When resources are scarce or scattered, zebras may cover a 30km distance daily; if resources are nearby, they will cover only 2km.

It is clear that they move very efficiently and this is proof of their highly developed orientation capacity and a very precise spatial knowledge.

Zebras are gregarious animals.

For many decades hypothesis have been presented as to why zebras have stripes. Theories range from them being a thermo-regulation system, to mosquitoes having a harder time lading on the zebra’s body because the contrast confuses them. It does appear quite adequate as a predator-defense mechanism as well. Zebras forage in groups and stay close to one another, so possibly a predator is only able to see a large and shapeless mass of stripes, one where it is not easy to isolate a single individual, which would be easier to hunt.