The plains zebra, also known as the common zebra, and as the name implies, is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. Its range is fragmented, but spans much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. The common zebra is intermediate in size and tends to have broader stripes. It is a highly social species, forming harems with a single stallion, several mares. Like all zebras, they are boldly striped in black and white, and no two individuals look exactly alike. Compared to other species, the plains zebra has broader stripes. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds. Unlike their closest relatives, horses and donkeys, zebras have never been truly domesticated.
Embryological evidence shows that the animal's background color is black and the white stripes and bellies are additions.