Burchell's zebras crossing the Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana

© Richard Du Toit/Minden Pictures

Burchell's zebras crossing the Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana

Who knew there were different kinds of zebras? The Burchell’s zebra is named for William John Burchell, an English naturalist and explorer who travelled extensively in South Africa, where he studied these and many other animals. The Burchell’s zebra has fewer stripes on its legs than other plain zebras, but otherwise strongly resembles its relatives. As these zebras migrate across the plains of southern Africa, they cross the Makgadikgadi Pan, a dry lake bed, in Botswana. Seen from above in this photo, the zebras cast long shadows across the harsh landscape of the salt pan.