Animals that start with letter Z: Zebra, Zebra Finch, Zebrafish, Zebu

Zigzag Salamander

It prefers most habitat of Rocky Hillside forests slopes, leaf litter and entrances to Caves. The diet of zigzag salamander is small invertebrates, specially; spiders and beetles. Northern zigzag salamanders breed terrestrially during the fall and spring season. 

Zebra

Zebra are black and white stripe mammals. Zebra came from horse family. Zebra is found in three species. The Plains zebra, these are found in rich grasslands of eastern and Southern Africa. Grevy’s zebra, which are found in specially, wooden areas in Kenya and also in few small areas in Ethiopia. Mountain zebra, which are found in dry upland Plains in Namibia and also a few scattered areas in western South Africa. 

Zebras are closely related to domestic horse family. Typically, zebra’s height is found between 120-140cm. Mail Grevy’s zebras are bigger in size than female zebras. However, the mountain zebras are same in the size whether they are male or female. The teeth of all three species of zebra are adapted for grazing. They have strong upper and lower incisors for cropping grasses. They also have large high crowned teeth for processing silicate rich grasses that wear down molars. Zebras dark skinned animals. The stripes of zebra arise from melanocytes which is the specialised skin cells, that selectively determine the pigmentation of the fur of Zebra. These specialised skin cells transfer melanin into some of the zebra’s growing hair. Melanin is a skin darkening pigment produced by melanocytes. The hair of zebra which contain melanin are black in colour, and the hair which do not contain melanin appear white.

Zebra Finch

Zebra finch is a very popular bird because of its availability and price. It is a very beautiful and colourful Bird. It has been kept in captivity for more than hundred years. Usually these are kept in pairs this is the reason they do not need you every time to your company. It is called zebra finch because it has Zebra like stripes across its neck, chest and especially from its black and white barred tail. 

Originally Zebra finches are from Central Australia. Also, they can be found in Indonesia and east Timor.

These are good beginner’s bird as it is easy to take care of zebra finches as they require a minimal time commitment. Because they are kept in pairs, they do not need you to keep them company. While you are out of house all you need to just play radio for them and when you return home you can talk to them. They will be fine on their own. People love to keep Zebra finches at their home because it is very easy to breed them. Zebra finches only need a basket nest and some nesting fibre. These are not long-lived Birds. Zebra finches only live about 3-5 years. Female zebra finch does not sing while the mail zebra finch is an enthusiastic singer.

Zebrafish

Zebra fish is a freshwater fish which is belongs to the minnow family of the order Cypriniforms. It is native to India and South Asia. It is a popular aquarium fish; Zebrafish is sold under the name of zebra danio as this is its trade name. Zebrafish is also found in private ponds. Zebrafish is widely used vertebrate model organism in scientific research. It is also used for bio medicine and development biology. These species are very useful for studies just like neurobehavioral phenomena. These are also used for psychological reasons just like abuse, cognitive and effective disorders. These are widely used to study and observe behavioural research. Mail zebrafish is found in the shape of torpedo, with gold stripes between blue stripes. On the other hand, female Zebra fish has a larger and whitish belly. They have silver stripes in place of gold. The zebrafish is found 4 to 5 cm in length. The lifespan of zebra fish is around 2 to 3 years however sometimes it can be extended to over 5 years.

Also Read : – Places that start with letter Q

Zebu 

Zebu is a kind of cow which is found in hot countries usually. It has a large round Hump. Usually, they are found in red or grey colour they have horn the on their head and also, they have loose skin, large ears. Zebu cattle have a bump about their shoulders. Zebu cattle are sacred in India and are only used for draft and milk but in the other meat producing countries like Brazil, these are produced largely for their beef as they cope better than European breeds tropical environment. 

Zokor

it is one of the seven North Asian species of Subterranean rodents. These are mole like animals. They have Chunky cylindrical shape bodies and also, they have short powerful Limbs. The feet of zokor are large and robust they have long front claws which are very strong and self-sharpening. They have very tiny Eyes which are very sensitive to light and nearly hidden in fur. These are medium size rodents. Usually, the weight of zokor is found from 150 to 560 grams and the length of their body is between 15 to 27 CM. 

Zonkey

Zonkey actually a cross between a Zebra and a donkey that is why it is called zonkey. They are very closely related to zebras and donkey, both animals belong to horse family. Zonkey is a very rare animal. These cannot be called true species as they have an odd number of chromosomes add they are unable to reproduce. Zonkey is a hybrid cross produced by mating A zebra and a donkey. Zonkey are breed in a number of zoo and specialized farms around the world.

Zorilla

it is a striped polecat, it is also called African polecat, zoril zorille, zorilla, African skunk and Cap polecat. It is a member of family Mustelidae. The word zorilla is derived from Spanish word Zorillo. The meaning of this word is skunk. The average length of Zorilla is 60 to 70 cm including their tail. The average height of zorilla is 10 to 15 CM to the shoulders. The average weight of zorilla is .6 to 1.3 Kg. Usually, they are black on the underside and white on the tail with stripes running from their heads down their back and on their cheeks. They have black legs and feet. The skull of zorilla is usually around 56 mm. Zorilla possess Unique face mask colouring. Usually, they have a white spot on their head. 

They are carnivore. They have 34 sharp teeth which are useful for shearing flesh and grinding meat. 

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