Thursday, April 12, 2012

Circulatory/Respiratory System:
Zebras have a closed circulatory system. It begins with the zebra breathing in through its mouth or nostrils.  The oxygen goes immediately into the lungs and then the heart pumps blood cells to the lungs, which pick up oxygen and bring the oxygen through the rest of the Zebras body. When it breathes out, it leaves behind carbon dioxide.

Digestive System:
The digestive system of a Zebra starts at it's mouth. Zebras eat shrubs, leaves, bark, and grass. When they eat these things, they first chew, then swallow; like humans. The food then travels down the esophagus to the stomach where the food is primarily digested and broken down. After the stomach breaks it down, it then goes to the small intestine so the zebra can absorb all the nutrients from the food. This is also know as "hind-gut fermentation." Finally, the digested food goes to the anus to exit the zebra's body.

Skeletal/Muscular System:
A Zebra's skeleton is made mainly for running at high speeds from predators. The skull consists of huge jaws for tearing shrubs, and the long snout is to be sure the air they are breathing in is warm enough for the lungs. The backbone carrys the zebras weight and is equipt for fast running. The neck, chest, shoulders, and rump are well muscled, whereas the limbs are thin and bony. The muscles that control the limbs are in the shoulders and rump rather than the leg itself. To thrust forward while running, zebra's use their hind legs.

Nervous System:
The nervous system of a zebra consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Reproductive System:
Zebras reproduce internally. A mare may have her first foal by the age of three. Males are not able to breed until the age of five or six. Mares may give birth to one foal every twelve months. She nurses the foal for up to a year. Zebras are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after they are born. When zebras are babies, they are brown and white rather than black and white.

Integumentary System:
The zebra uses it's stripped skin to camoflauge themselves from predators and it's hooves to kick predators.

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