Zebras may resemble horses, but they sound nothing alike.
While horses are relatively quiet animals that rely more on body language, zebras are loud, vocal, and constantly communicating. Their calls are higher-pitched, more urgent, and far more frequent. The sounds they make include barks, brays, snorts, nickers, and squeals, each of which has a purpose.
Common Zebra Vocalizations
Zebras live in structured herds and rely on constant communication to stay coordinated. They have a well-developed larynx (voice box), similar to horses and donkeys. It contains the vocal folds needed to produce sound through airflow and vibration. A 2007 study found that zebras have individually distinct calls, helping the herd identify members by sound alone.
Zebra vocalizations range from greetings to warnings, aggression to affection. Their survival depends on being able to identify each other, signal threats, and maintain social bonds. Zebra calls are loud enough to carry across wide grasslands.
Here are some common sounds that zebras make and their meaning:
| Sound | Function |
|---|---|
| Bark | Greeting, attention |
| Bray | Dominance, mating, location |
| Snort | Mild alarm or alert |
| Nicker | Bonding, affection |
| Squeal | Pain, distress, fighting |
Zebras also use body language such as ear position, tail movement, and facial expressions to reinforce vocal signals. For instance, a snort with pinned ears signals danger. A nicker with relaxed ears shows comfort and trust.
Bark
The zebra bark is short, sharp, and high-pitched — similar to a small dog’s yap. It is used as a greeting, a mild attention-getter, or a casual check-in between herd members.
Bray
The bray is the zebra’s most iconic sound. It begins as a low growl and rises into a high-pitched squeal. The call is often described as “hiccupping,” with alternating pitch. Males use brays during courtship and to assert dominance. It can also be used as a long-range locator call between herd members.
Snort
Zebras snort when alert, curious, or mildly alarmed. It’s a short burst of air through the nostrils, similar to a horse. It may mean “I hear something” or “stay sharp.”
Nicker
Nickering is a soft, breathy sound used in close-range bonding, especially between mothers and foals. It communicates reassurance and affection.
Squeal
Squeals are sharp, high-pitched cries of pain or distress. They’re commonly heard during fights between stallions or when a zebra is bitten or startled.
Hum
Preliminary research has noted that Grevy’s zebras sometimes produce low-frequency hums, not just brays. These hums may be used at night or during low-visibility conditions, similar to how giraffes hum at night. It has not been studied deeply, but it suggests zebras may have an underexplored range of sounds beyond the loud brays.
Can Baby Zebras Make the Same Sounds?
Foals produce all the same types of calls as adults, but at higher pitches and softer volume. Their most frequent sound is a high-pitched bark directed at their mother. Each mother–foal pair bonds through sound, scent, and visual recognition. This is why newborn foals are kept isolated from the herd in the first days—to imprint on their mother’s voice and appearance.
Do Zebra Species Sound Different?
There are three zebra species:
- Plains zebra (Equus quagga)
- Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)
- Mountain zebra (Equus zebra)
All three use the same vocal categories but with variation in pitch and frequency. Grevy’s zebras tend to be the loudest and most frequent callers.
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