quagga

American  

[kwag-uh, kwog-uh] / ˈkwæg ə, ˈkwɒg ə /

noun

1. an extinct equine mammal, Equus quagga, of southern Africa, related to and resembling the zebra, but striped only on the forepart of the body and the head.

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quagga British  

/ ˈkwæɡə /

noun

1. a recently extinct member of the horse family ( Equidae ), Equus quagga, of southern Africa: it had a sandy brown colouring with zebra-like stripes on the head and shoulders

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Etymology

Origin of quagga

1775–85; < Afrikaans (now spelling kwagga ) < Khoikhoi, first recorded as quácha (1691); said to be imitative of the animal's yelp

Example Sentences

They say this strategy has helped prevent the further spread of quagga mussels and zebra mussels beyond the lakes and waterways those species have colonized.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

Upstream of the dam, nearly 90% of the Kakhovka Reservoir drained, exposing 1870 square kilometers of former lakebed, including dense beds of zebra and quagga mussels that once filtered and cleansed the reservoir’s water.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 3, 2024

Zebra and quagga mussels, belonging to the Dreissenid family, are widespread freshwater invasive species throughout North America that present a significant danger to native ecosystems by competing for resources.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

“Everything. If you drain the lakes, you’ll get a bowl of quagga mussels.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2023

It was a race for life, as the quagga knew and the tiger intended.

From Careers of Danger and Daring by Moffett, Cleveland