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Why does a zebra have stripes?

Updated: 10/8/2023
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7y ago

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The reason I have heard is basically to confuse predators when charging into a herd of zebras. The rapid movement of the black and white stripes somehow makes it harder for the predator to focus on just one animal, increasing the zebras' chances of getting away.

They are used as camouflage. Colorblind animals confuse the stripes with tall grass in the savannah.

Zebras are black or dark skinned animals with large white stripes and blotches to give camouflage from its predators. Some Zebras have shadow stripes between the white and black coloring.

It is believed that zebras are black animals with white detail for three main reasons. The first is that white equidae would not be able to survive well in the plains or forests of Africa. Secondly, the extinct species of plain zebra, known as the Quagga, had the white stripes of zebras today on the front of their bodies, but a dark colored rump. The third reason is based on the shadow stripes. When the pigmented white band becomes to wide, a secondary stripe starts to emerge. The idea that some zebras have white under bellies and legs is not thought to be evidence of an overall light color, since many animals of different colors have white or lighter colored bellies and legs.

The stripes tend to be vertical on the head, neck, forequarters, and main body, with horizontal stripes on the legs and rear end.

It has been suggested by some zoologists that the stripes act as a complex camouflage mechanism. The virtual striped allow the zebra to hide in grassland. To our eyes this seems absurd, as the vivid black and white coloring stands out against the grass and the zebra does not appear very hidden. However, a zebras main predator is the lion, an animal noted for its color blind sight, so theatricality a zebra standing in grass will not be noticed by a lion.

Also, as the zebras move and run in herds, the stripes may help to confuse predators, since a number of zebras moving and standing close together can appear as one large animal, making it very difficult for the lion to pick out a single zebra to attack.

As the herd of zebras scatter to avoid a predator, the vertical stripes traveling in multiple directions creates a confusing mask, making it much harder for the lion to track individual animals. However biologists have never observed a lion being confused by the zebra stripes in this way.

The zebras stripes are also believed to play a role in their sexual attractions, as the slight variation of stripes allows the animal to distinguish between individuals. Now two zebras have the same stripes. It is also thought that any wounds the zebra receives disrupts the striping pattern and indicates the fitness of the individual to other members of the herd and potential mates..

Recently, zoologists have found that the disruptive coloration of the stripes can effect the visual system of the Tsetse fly, a blood sucking insect. There is experimental evidence for this theory, it is however a little limited.

Alternative theories are concerned with stripes coinciding with fat patterns beneath the skin. This would serve as a thermo-regulatory mechanism for the zebra, meaning that the stripe allow the zebra to control their body temperature.
The way the Common Zebras have stripes is unusually natural or casually used to hypnotize other predators, like the leopard. Sometimes, it always cannot help out when in danger but can ward off hyenas who may steal the prey or possibly flinch in any situation.

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8y ago
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Anonymous

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3y ago
zebras have strippees
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7y ago
Zebra Stripes

Zebra stripes are there for Camouflage- to confuse predators when charging into a herd of zebras. The rapid movement of the black and white stripes makes it harder for the predator to focus on just one animal, increasing the zebras' chances of getting away.

Additional information on Zebra Stripes:

  • They are used as camouflage. Color blind animals, such as lions, confuse the stripes with tall grass in the Savannah.
  • The stripes tend to be vertical on the head, neck, forequarters and main body, with horizontal stripes on the legs and rear end.
  • It has been suggested by some zoologists that the stripes act as a complex camouflage mechanism. The virtual stripes allow the zebra to hide in grassland. To our eyes this seems absurd, as the vivid black and white coloring stands out against the grass and the zebra does not appear very hidden. However, a zebras main predator is the lion, an animal noted for its color blind sight, so theatricality a zebra standing in grass will not be noticed by a lion.
  • Also, as the zebras move and run in herds, the stripes may help to confuse predators, since a number of zebras moving and standing close together can appear as one large animal, making it very difficult for the lion to pick out a single zebra to attack.
  • As the herd of zebras scatter to avoid a predator, the vertical stripes traveling in multiple directions creates a confusing mask, making it much harder for the lion to track individual animals. However biologists have never observed a lion being confused by the zebra stripes in this way.
  • The zebras stripes are also believed to play a role in their sexual attractions, as the slight variation of stripes allows the animal to distinguish between individuals. No two zebras have the same stripes. It is also thought that any wounds the zebra receives disrupts the striping pattern and indicates the fitness of the individual to other members of the herd and potential mates..
  • Recently, zoologists have found that the disruptive colouration of the stripes can effect the visual system of the Tsetse fly, a blood sucking insect. There is experimental evidence for this theory, it is however a little limited.
  • Alternative theories are concerned with stripes coinciding with fat patterns beneath the skin. This would serve as a thermoregulatory mechanism for the zebra, meaning that zebras are white with black stripes
  • Zebras have stripes to make them blend in with the scenery and to keep them safe from attack. This is very much like what soldiers do in wartime, as they cover their helmets with leaves and attempt to hide their artillery by drawing leaf-covered nets over them to blend them in with the scenery. This is called camouflage. Though the zebra doesn't know this word, it practices camouflage very effectively. Since zebras live in the same grasslands as lions, their main enemy, this protection is very necessary.
  • Even though the zebra is a member of the horse family, its unusual color pattern sets it apart from its relatives. The zebra's parallel stripes of black or brown on a white or almost-white background are like a design which covers the whole animal, even its tail, mane, and ears.
  • The zebra's temperament is also very different from the other members of the horse family. Zebras are difficult to tame and train, and are savage fighters. In zoos, the zebra is considered a vicious animal, and its keepers always are on guard against a crippling kick or bite.
  • As with human fingerprints, each zebra has its own pattern of stripes. No zebra is striped exactly like any other, each is one of a kind!
  • "Because God Knew zebras would need them so he gave them stripes. That's it.
  • This is Biology, not creationism. Zebras have stripes because it breaks up their silhouette amongst the grasslands and keeps them hidden from predators.


It helps it blend in with a herd of other zebras and confuse the predator.
Zebra have stripes as a form of camouflage. When they are in a large herd, the stripes act similar to an optical illusion and make it difficult for predators to pick out the shape of one zebra. Zebra stripes are also like fingerprints, in that no two zebras have the exact same configuration of stripes.

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10y ago

Zebras don't have spots. They have stripes.

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13y ago

There are many theories of why zebra's are striped.

- camouflauge

- Look distorted in a group

- Disuade insects

- Act as a sunscreen

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11y ago

because God created them

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9y ago

mutation in the DNA

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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

To cep it hiden

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Q: Why does a zebra have stripes?
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