Quagga vs. Zebra — What's the Difference?

The quagga ( or ) (Equus quagga quagga) is an extinct subspecies of the plains zebra that was endemic to South Africa until it was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century by European settler-colonists. It was long thought to be a distinct species, but early genetic studies have supported it being a subspecies of plains zebra.

Zebras (UK: , US: ) (subgenus Hippotigris) are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three extant species: the Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), plains zebra (E. quagga), and the mountain zebra (E. zebra).

An equid (Equus quagga subsp. quagga) of southern Africa, extinct since the late 1800s. It was brownish with stripes only on the head, neck, and front of the body.

Any of several swift African mammals of the genus Equus, resembling the horse and having distinctive overall markings of alternating white and black or brown stripes.

A southern-African subspecies of plains zebra, Equus quagga quagga, which went extinct in 1883. The upper parts of the animal were reddish brown, becoming paler behind and beneath, while the face, neck, and fore part of the body were marked by dark stripes.

Any of various striped organisms, such as a zebrafish.

A South African wild ass (Equus quagga syn. Hippotigris quagga). The upper parts are reddish brown, becoming paler behind and behind and beneath, with dark stripes on the face, neck, and fore part of the body. The species became extinct in the late 1800's, largely due to excessive hunting.

A referee in football.

Mammal of South Africa that resembled a zebra; extinct since late 19th century

Any of three species of subgenus Hippotigris: E. grevyi, E. quagga, or E. zebra, all with black and white stripes and native to Africa.

A referee.

An unlikely diagnosis, especially for symptoms probably caused by a common ailment. (Originates in the advice often given to medical students: "when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras".)

A biracial person, specifically one born to a member of the Sub-Saharan African race and a Caucasian.

(informal) A fish, the zebra cichlid.

Any of various papilionid butterflies of the subgenus Paranticopsis of the genus Graphium, having black and white markings.

A zebra crossing.

Any member of three species of African wild horses remarkable for having the body white or yellowish white, and conspicuously marked with dark brown or brackish bands.

Any of several fleet black-and-white striped African equines