Distrust of Humans by Zebras and Wild Horses: An Evolutionary Perspective

Zebras’ wariness of humans may have been an evolutionary adaptation to keep them beyond the range of poisonous arrows used by African hunters for at least 24,000 years, researchers suggest. This caution may have allowed the species to survive hundreds of thousands of years of hunting by humans in Africa.

Unlike their horse cousins, zebras have never been domesticated. They can be aggressive, panicky, and unpredictable, making them difficult to train. They also have powerful legs that can carry them at speeds up to 35mph, and have a kick that can break the jaw of a predator.

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