2006-08-23 15:09:20 · 24 answers · asked by vicky 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
This is one of the most-asked questions about zebras. So what's up with the stripes? Zebras are generally thought to have white coats with black (sometimes brown) stripes. That's because if you look at most zebras, the stripes end on their bellies and toward the insides of the legs, and the rest is all white. However (there had to be a catch, right?), some zebras are born with genetic variations that make them all black with white stripes, or mostly dark with the striped pattern only on part of their coats. And as it turns out, zebras have black skin underneath their hair. So it kind of depends on how you look at it!
So, why the stripes? They serve as a kind of protection from predators! When zebras are grouped together, their stripes make it hard for a lion or leopard to pick out one zebra to chase. Different zebra species have different types of stripes, from narrow to wide. In fact, the further south on the African plains you travel, the farther apart the stripes on the zebras get!
2006-08-23 15:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by sschultz89 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even scientists don't know the base color, but they do know why. Zebras travel in large groups. You probably knew that already. When they are running away from a predator, they run as a mass. When the predator sees them running, it will see a large blob of black and white. The blob is the mass of a large number of zebras, so it looks like a large mass of stripes. Get the picture? BTW, zebras are my favorite animal, what's yours?
2006-08-23 22:15:01 · answer #2 · answered by Meg C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
white with black stripes
2006-08-24 07:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by lotta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're pink with black and white stripes.
2006-08-23 22:14:24 · answer #4 · answered by talula_talula 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are black and white, with stripes.
2006-08-23 22:13:10 · answer #5 · answered by floozy_niki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wondered that myself and I came up with the conclusion that they're neither. I say they're just black- and white-striped, and the reason why (this one I know as a fact) is for camouflage from predators.
Hope that helps. =)
2006-08-23 22:18:19 · answer #6 · answered by Punky Brewster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
white with black stripes because their stomachs are just white
2006-08-24 20:52:24 · answer #7 · answered by iluvanimals 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
white with black stripes.Thanks for the 2 points
2006-08-23 23:06:59 · answer #8 · answered by Lindseyyy(: 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, a baby zebra dies and goes to see saint peter in heaven. the zebra says "am i black with white stripes or white with black stripes." saint peter tells the zebra to ask god. the zebra goes and asks god his question then returns. the zebra says to saint peter "ok i figured it out. i asked god and he said, my son you are what you are. that means i am white with black stripes. if i was black with white stripes he would have told me.....you is what you is."
thank you, tip your waitress and bartender
2006-08-23 22:17:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are black with white stripes. There was a premature foals born who proved it. It's just how they are made.
2006-08-24 01:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by troll05 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋