Zebra Characteristics: Passionate • Dynamic • Determined • Untamable • Impatient
Scientific Name: Equus burchelli
Collective Term: A stripe of zebra

The Powerful and Loyal Zebra

These strong shouldered quadrupeds are closely related to horse personalities, but since zebras evolved in the competitive environment of the African plains, they've developed a tougher exterior and more aggressive demeanor than their more domesticated cousins.

Those that come into contact with the zebra find it to be a powerfully loyal and intelligent friend. Its black and white nature shuns the gray zones of compromise, and its decided idealism is incapable of accepting defeat in an argument. Zebras find it difficult to be punctual when it comes to meeting commitments that have little value to them, and close examination of this trait reveals the subtle arrogance that pervades the zebra's personality.

The Zebra Personality's Social Approach

While its behavior might be construed as selfish, the zebra is generally appalled to discover that others may perceive it to be egotistical, because zebras always expect to be given the benefit of the doubt. They are perpetually on the offensive when it comes to setting the record straight with regard to their motives.

Wild and untamable, zebras have quite an aggressive streak and their enormous self-confidence gives them an unusually swaggering gait. Quick to anger, a zebra's temper often gets the better of it and they are considered so volatile that even lion personalities will think twice before accosting them. However, they rarely initiate confrontations, and tend to be peaceable and self-contained if left alone. Zebras have a tendency to view the world in black and white and have a strong sense of right and wrong. Unlike their horse cousins, they are unwilling to be saddled with the burdens of others and insist that everyone carry his or her own weight.

The Zebra Personality's Career

Once the zebra's mind is made up, it is difficult to shift its position, which explains its reputation for stubbornness. This reputation is somewhat unfounded however, since the zebra's opinions are only formed after deliberate and logical consideration. This analytical thinking primes them for careers in science, engineering, accounting and football refereeing.

Zebras' strong sense of justice makes them ideal for careers in the legal system, including police work or law, while their ability to endure a long race might bring them success in politics. Their love for things tangible makes it unlikely that they'll excel in the arts, and a distaste for physical labor makes zebras largely unsuitable for blue-collar jobs.

Zebras in the Wild

Zebras are differentiated from horses and asses by the distinctive stripes on their bodies. Only recently settled was the debate about whether the zebra's stripes are white on black or black on white. (It has black stripes on a white background.)

Zebras are aggressive and protect themselves and their young when attacked. It is only herbivore known to use its teeth as weapons; a kick from its powerful hindquarters is quite capable shattering a lion's jaw.

A species of zebra known as the quagga has a sad story. Hunted into extinction by South African settlers in the mid-1800s, it was not until the last quagga was shot that anyone realized that it was even endangered. Zoos requesting replacement animals were shocked to be informed, "We can't seem to find any."

Careers & Hobbies

Scientist • Accountant• Referee • Lawyer/Judge
Basketball • Tennis • Karaoke • Horse-riding

Love & Friendship

You should never flirt with a zebra unless you mean it. This highly sexual beast is always on the lookout for a causal relationship and even an offhanded encouragement will stampede the zebra's libido into a full gallop. But zebras don't expect sex to provide them with any kind of meaningful relationship; it serves simply as a sensory indulgence to distract them from their busy and competitive lives.

There's no such thing as a wishy-washy relationship with a zebra, and although they have a rather blasé attitude toward sex, they always take their mating duties very seriously. But as a partner, they can prove to be a handful. Compliant enough when it comes to trivial issues, they tend to take unassailable stances on matters of family strategy... where the children go to school, how they are disciplined, and who will handle the purse strings are not issues for debate. The zebra knows best.

The challenge is to find a mate that can equal its intensity and ambition. Few animal personalities meet these standards however, and the zebra's best bet is with the herbivorous sable, horse, and deer personalities. Relationships with traditional rivals, including lions, tigers, and wolves should be avoided.

Famous Zebra Personalities

Christopher Darden

Zebra's aren't usually aggressive unless they have to be... and Darden is no exception. Assigned to the prosecution of O.J. Simpson while working as a district attorney in L.A. County, he went full force to win against Simpson. But even a zebra wasn’t a match for OJ's rhino personality.

Rudy Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani -- the mayor of New York during 9-11 -- is a difficult man to read. It's that black and white thing of a zebra personality. Sometimes he's harsh and vindictive and other times he's sympathetic and gentle. Either way, his personality has the unyielding aggression of the zebra.