Think all zebras look the same? Think again! Each zebra has a distinct stripe pattern, which they use to recognize one another. Naturalists believe these stripes confuse predators, a must - have in their African grassland homes filled with lions and hyenas.

History: All three zebra types hail from Africa, living in the east and south. While most live in grasslands, some zebras also call woodlands or mountains home. Zebras, related to horses and donkeys, live in family groups that often join into large herds for protection.

Scientific Name: Equus quagga

Characteristics: These zebras are perfect for spicing up an Africa project. They also make excellent classroom giveaways, party favors, or cupcake toppers.

Size: Measuring about 1 inch long, these white - with - black - stripes (or maybe black - with - white - stripes) paperclip - sized zebras are full of fun.

These miniature zebras are super versatile. For an Africa project, you can place them on your display board to add a touch of realism. As classroom giveaways or party favors, just hand them out to your friends or students. To use them as cupcake toppers, gently place them on top of the cupcakes. When handling these zebras, be careful not to bend them too much as they are small and delicate. Keep them in a dry place to avoid any damage. If they get dirty, you can use a soft brush to gently clean them.