[7] The Cape mountain zebra differs slightly from the Hartmann's subspecies, being stockier and having longer ears and a larger dewlap.

[10][11] The Cape mountain zebra (like Hartmann's subspecies) is predominantly diurnal or crepuscular, and is most active early morning and from late afternoon to sunset.

It is a highly selective feeder, showing a preference for greener leafy plants, particularly the South African red grass and the weeping lovegrass.

In marginal habitat such as fynbos, mountain zebra have been found to also feed on young restio shoots, as well as underground bulbs.

[12] Low growing, very coarse, small stalky grasses, as well as dying leaf material are usually avoided.

[18] Due to excessive and prolonged hunting and habitat destruction in South Africa, populations of Cape mountain zebra have declined greatly during the last 300 years.

[10] Despite the increase of the Cape mountain zebra meta-population due to the growth of CMZ populations in state-owned protected areas, there are reasons for concern regarding the conservation status of CMZ and recommend further expansion and management of the meta-population.

Many of the CMZ sub-populations are small and this renders them at risk of genetics drift, inbreeding depression, and susceptibility to disease.

In 1936, when Minister of Lands (and former Boer War general) Jan Kemp was asked to set aside a special reserve for the Cape mountain zebra, to which he gave his now infamous reply: "No!

"[citation needed] A year later, in response to the continued decline, the government established the Mountain Zebra National Park on Acacia veld near Cradock, South Africa, but its small population of Cape mountain zebra died out in 1950.

Since then a few zebras have been reintroduced to the Cape Point Section of Table Mountain National Park.