What is it about?
Plains zebras (Equus quagga) and mountain zebras (Equus zebra) are closely related and probably evolved from a common ancestor about 1.7 million years ago. Nevertheless, some authors described the former as being "equine" and the latter as being "asinine." This paper examines why these distinctions were made and how, in some cases, this led artists to portray plains zebras with horse-like tails.
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Why is it important?
How we perceive animals and other organisms affects our attitudes towards them which, in turn, influences decisions about conservation, etc. This case study of zebras highlights the irrational attitudes towards animals held by some people.
Perspectives
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This page is a summary of: Ways of Seeing Nonhuman Animals: Some Likened Zebras to Horses, Others to Asses, Society and Animals, October 2020, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/15685306-bja10027.
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