Definition
An extinct subspecies of the plains zebra (Equus quagga quagga) native to South Africa, which had stripes only on the front half of its body, distinguishing it from other zebra species.
Example Usage
Museum visitors were fascinated by the preserved quagga specimen, puzzled by its unusual partial striping pattern.
Origin
From Khoikhoi (indigenous South African language) *xoachgab, an onomatopoeia imitating the animal's call.
Fun Fact
The quagga was hunted to extinction by 1883; in recent decades, scientists have attempted 'de-extinction' breeding programs to recreate a quagga-like phenotype using zebra genetics.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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