zebra - zebra OR zebras

[audiolaik]

Hi

I'd always thought that the plural form of "zebra" is "zebras", but it wasn't until yesterday that I discovered that the form "zebra" is also acceptable.

Are there any differences in meaning between the two plural forms?

Thank you!

Audiolaik

 

[entangledbank]

Zero plurals are used for hunted animals (and sheep). People who hunt tigers might say 'I got two tiger yesterday'. No-one hunts zebras, do they?

It's possible that some people have extended the use from "any big animal bwana might shoot on safari" to "any other big animal bwana might see", but really I've never heard of zero plural for zebras, rhinoceroses, or hippopotamuses.

 

[audiolaik]

Zero plurals are used for hunted animals (and sheep). People who hunt tigers say 'I got two tiger yesterday'. No-one hunts zebras, do they?

So, what's the point of creating something that no one is going to use?

 

[Intramed]

No.
Plural: zebra or zebras.

 

[audiolaik]

I've never heard of zero plural for zebras, rhinoceroses, or hippopotamuses.

Neither have I.

zebra noun
(plural zebras or zebra)

source

 

[audiolaik]

No.
Plural: zebra or zebras.

That's what one calls a concise reply.

 

[ewie]

I've heard plural zebra.

People will hunt anything.

 

[frenchforschool]

I've never heard "zebras" as a plural for zebra.
I think zebra can refer to one or more of the striped animals.
For example,
I looked at the field of zebra.
verse
I looked at the field of zebras.

 

[Fuffybert]

Hello, I would like to know if there is a noun meaning "a group of zebras".
Thanks for your help!
Mica

 

[Egmont]

Hello, I would like to know if there is a noun meaning "a group of zebras".
Thanks for your help!
Mica

According to this site, which lists names for groups of nearly any animal or bird one can think of, it can be a herd, a zeal, or a dazzle.

At least among my friends, if someone mentioned "a dazzle of zebras" (or "a dazzle of zebra," I suppose) we would have no idea what he or she was talking about. (Or, given our ages, we'd probably think we heard wrong ... ) In normal conversation and prose, I'd stick with "herd."

 

[Fuffybert]

Thank you very much for your answer!!!