Yellow, black and white illustration of a zebra on a white background with black text
AMERICAN PEPSIN GUM CO. BUTTONS MADE BY WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO NEWARK, N.J. PATENT JULY 17 1894 APRIL 14, 1896 JULY 21, 1896
Zebras are native to Africa and feed on grass and occasionally shrubs, twigs and leaves. There are three different species of zebra: plains, mountain and Grevy’s zebra. Zebras are generally thought to have a white coat with black stripes, but under their coats they have black skin. Zebras have their own unique patterns and no two are alike. When zebras are in a group their combined stripes make it hard for predators to single out a zebra to chase.
This button was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion. Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.