Andean Caenolestid vs plains zebra

Caenolestes condorensis compared with Equus quagga

Key Differences

• Andean Caenolestid is Vulnerable while plains zebra is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Andean Caenolestid	plains zebra
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Paucituberculata (Paucituberculata)	Perissodactyla (Odd-toed Ungulates)
Family	Caenolestidae	Equidae (Horses & Zebras)
Genus	Caenolestes	Equus (Horses & Zebras)
Species	Caenolestes condorensis	Equus quagga

Evolutionary Relationship

Andean Caenolestid and plains zebra share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Andean Caenolestid

VU — Vulnerable

plains zebra

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~750.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Andean Caenolestid	plains zebra
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	25 years
Average Length	—	2.3 m
Average Weight	—	350.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Andean Caenolestid

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

plains zebra

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Andean Caenolestid

The Andean Caenolestid (Caenolestes condorensis) is a species in the genus Caenolestes. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

plains zebra

The most numerous wild equid, plains zebras inhabit grasslands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa in herds ranging from small family groups to vast aggregations. Their bold black-and-white stripe patterns are unique to each individual and may serve to confuse predators, deter biting insects, and facilitate individual recognition. Zebras form key prey for lions, hyenas, and crocodiles, underpinning savanna food webs.