It's difficult to know how many stripes a zebra has because it truly does vary between each animal. Think of it in the same way that humans have fingerprints. No two humans have the same fingerprints, and likewise, no two zebras have identical stripes. That being said, there are some average figures that may be of interest to you.
Types of zebra
There are three different types of zebra, and each type has a specific set of qualities that sets them apart from others:
- Plains zebra - Also known as the common zebra, it is the most geographically widespread species of zebra. On average, each plains zebra will have roughly 26 stripes per side.
- Mountain zebra - This is a threatened species, and is native to south-western Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. On average, each mountain zebra will have approximately 43 stripes per side.
- Grevy's zebra - Also known as the imperial zebra, this species is the most endangered of all zebra. The Grevy's zebra is native to Kenya and Ethiopia. On average, each Grevy's zebra will have around 80 stripes per side.
As you can see, there are some rough estimations for how many stripes a zebra has, but it really does depend on the individual zebra, and the particular species.
You should take a look at this fascinating documentary about zebras. You won't regret it!