Each week, CatchMark Community features a Wild Animal Fact from Montague native Seth Simon, the creator of the popular bite-sized wildlife series. Seth is known for his upbeat personality, love of animals, and knack for turning fascinating facts into fun, 60-second reads. His goal is to spark curiosity, encourage conservation awareness, and bring a little joy to everyone who follows along. We’re proud to share his work and add a touch of “wild” to your week.
As part of this weekly feature, Seth brings his signature enthusiasm straight to our readers with a fresh creature spotlight—packed with quick facts, habitat insights, and the unique quirks that make each animal extraordinary. His posts combine education and entertainment in a way that’s accessible for all ages, making wildlife learning both fun and memorable. Enjoy this week’s feature below!
Hey 
Wild Fact Fans, Seth here with the new Friday Feature creature. Don’t forget to please like 
, share and comment 
questions 
down below 
If you have any on this weeks animal ^^ or any creature you’d like me to do a post on in the future
This weeks feature creature is in honor of this year’s zodiac animal; a creature we’ve been riding and using for hard labor, travel and companionship for thousands of years. Creatures many connect with care and respect with how majestic , strong , brave, & noble they are. This creature being the steadfast horse 
However; this wild species of equine is one not to be trifled with in the case of trying to tame, for this is a wild species that is too wild to be domesticated. Despite this, they’re a truly popular sight in zoos; or in the Wild sense, roaming across the wide open grasslands and savannas of Africa. A main icon that many recognize well with the African continent as it wears its special coat pattern well which is more useful than one would think a black and white pattern would be. Strong, resilient, tough, and brave; these wild horses have survived and thrived in some of the most dangerous places in the world, with a spirit as wild and untamed as these habitats itself.
This weeks Feature Creature is the Plains Zebra 
1. Measuring in at 3 to almost 5ft tall, 7 to 8ft long, & weighing in at 385 to 850lbs; Plains zebras are the 2nd largest of the zebras & the most well recognized of the 3 different kinds; having the thickest stripes of the clan along with a shorter neck. The Plains zebra is also known as Grants and Burchell’s zebras with some populations.
2. While zebras are part of the horse family; they’re actually more related to donkeys 
; as shown with their iconic braying bark calls they’re known for
3. Plains zebras get their name cause they mostly live on open grasslands and savannas where they graze constantly on thick coarse grasses; alongside leaves 
, shrubs, herbs and branches with their ever growing teeth 
.
4. As they graze, they clear the way for herbivores like wildebeest, ostriches and gazelles to feed on the less tough grasses. This is why along with more eyes on the lookout 
for danger 
is why they travel and graze together
5. Zebra herds (zeals or Dazzles as they’re also called) move to follow the rains 
and may migrate up to 1800 miles to remain at least 19 miles close to food 
and water; as they can go around 5 days to a week without either; but can drink down 5 to 10 gallons of water & 15 to 20 lbs of grass a day! They also travel 
to find salt 
licks to keep healthy.
6. Zebra recognize each other by their different black with white stripe patterns as no 2 individuals have the same pattern like a fingerprint 
. Their skin as shown by their muzzle is black ; and thats where the white stripe pattern begins. Some zebras can actually be born with extremely rare color patterns such as spotted melanistic, half striped, and even golden striped in color (shown in photos below 
) !
7. Among The other reasons for a zebra’s stripes ; many debates among scientists have come up with their uses. Among the uses; they use them for camo in grassy and shady areas (especially for foals), for merge camo among large herds together to confuse predators when they stampede, help regulate body temperature 
in the harsh african heat 
& help to deter biting insects
8. Twitching their skin, flicking their tails , social grooming with other zebras , rubbing against rocks 
and trees 
, letting birds 
like oxpeckers eat them, and taking dust baths also helps against annoying pests
9. Along with their stripes to help confuse predators; zebras rely on their too speeds of 35 to 40 mph (55 in short bursts) to out run predators like lions 
, spotted hyenas & african wild dogs. Leopards 
& nile crocodiles 
are also a top predators for adult zebras. for their foals; jackals & cheetahs are a main threat; which they defend against them by a rough half circle 
around them to face threats .
10. When cornered or in serious trouble ; zebras can bite and kick to hold them off. And with a kick of 3,000 lbs (strong 
enough to break a lion’s skull 
); its a deadly defense !
11. Alongside their classic bray barking sounds to alert 
others; zebras communicate thru the position of their ears. Facing forward means alert 
and watchful, laid back means angry 
or scared 
, and upright and not forward means relaxed 
and calm.
12. Zebra can sleep standing up like horses do thanks to special leg 
joints and herd members always take shifts to look out for predators at night 
. Their keen hearing, sense of smell & good eyesight 
(with night vision as good as an owls
!) helps a lot while watching out for dangers
13. Plains zebras live in Stallion lead herds of 5 to 20 females & their young offspring. within the harem ; there’s also a lead mare who’s in charge alongside the stallion. Whichever female joined the herd first is given this leader right; which is why mares can Be aggressive towards new females, who must be protected by the stallion until tension subsides.
14. Young males that don’t have their own harem live in bachelor groups till they try to convince young females to go with them during the mating season. This often leads to deadly battles with the father of females they try to court. Some battles are so dangerous, they can be fatal & Some males will sometimes go after foals of other females to get them to join them!
15. After mating, a mother will give birth to a single foal after a year to a year & 2 months (during the rainy season); and it only takes 20 mins for a foal to stand up & an run in an hour! Along with recognizing the unique stripe pattern; Mother’s also recognize their foals thru scent and sound too. males leave at a year to 3 years old; while females stay in their maternal herd till a male challenges her father.
Next weeks feature creature hint 
: this small wild cat easily breaks the rules when it comes to felines not being fans of water 
; as it often takes to it to catch food 
Wild Animal Facts: Grey Squirrel
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