Zebras

Zebra herds on the plains of Africa have to be alert to the many predators that follow them. Lions hunt them as they graze. Crocodiles wait beneath the river waters where they drink. Cheetahs will pick off a baby zebra that falls too far behind the herd. But zebras also have ways to protect themselves from their enemies. They have eyes that can see almost all the way around them and sharp hearing. They are fast runners, with hooves that can deliver a powerful kick. And the zebras' black and white coloring can confuse a predator when they run off together across the plain.

Sandra Markle is the author of numerous critically-acclaimed science books for children. A nationally known science education consultant and a former elementary school science teacher, Ms. Markle also authored the award-winning Animal Predator and Animal Scavenger series for Lerner Publications. She lives in New Zealand with her husband.