Plains zebra (Equus quagga) and foal. Female plains zebra with her foal. The plains zebra, formerly known as Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli), lives on the plains and open woodlands of Africa. It is the most common and geographically widespread form of zebra. Females give birth to only one foal every 12 months and look after it for up to a year. Photographed in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa.