2006-10-07 23:48:47 · 11 answers · asked by Paul K 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Zebras have strips so they can confuse their predators. When their predators are looking/stalking them from a distance they just see a mass of black and white, can't tell where one zebra starts and another one ends. So it is hard for the predator to pinpoint a zebra to kill. Which allows the zebras to get away, its a camouflage thing.
2006-10-07 23:54:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jessica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stripes have multiple reasons.
1. It is a way to identify each other.
2. It will confuse enemies, as it is hard to take aim at one particular one (like a group of fish)
And last but not least, the one hardly anyone knows...
3. They regulate their temperature with them. While the black stripes absorb heat, the white ones reflect is. thus making the stripes differ in temp. Because of this there is a natural flow of air around their body that keeps them cool. Their very own air co.
P.S. This is true!! NOT a joke!
2006-10-08 07:12:34 · answer #2 · answered by Elio 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do cows are spotted and not in a straight color? Why do birds fly? Why do fish swim? Why do dogs have tail? Why do humans don't speak the same language? Why the sky is blue? Why the water is wet? Why are the females the only ones who can get pregnant? Why the fire burns? Why the fire is hot? Why the moon only comes out in the night time? Why the sun comes from east to west and not west to east or north to south or south to north? Why the ice is cold? If you find the answer for your question, you'll find the answer for these other question. Sometimes things are because they are and there isn't a certain reason for many things to be, but they are and the better way to enjoy them is not asking and not breaking your head analyzing.
2006-10-08 07:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by Javy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have stripes to confuse predators and they are black with white stripes
"Stripes
They are black with white stripes[1]. These stripes are typically vertical on the head, neck, forequarters, and main body, with horizontal stripes at the rear and on the legs of the animal. The zebra crossing is named after the zebra's white on black stripes"
2006-10-08 07:15:04 · answer #4 · answered by Feline Female 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Originally, most zoologists assumed that the stripes acted as a camouflage mechanism, while others believed them to play a role in social interactions, with slight variations of the pattern allowing the animals to distinguish between individuals. A more recent theory, supported by experiment, posits that the disruptive coloration is an effective means of confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.
2006-10-08 06:50:22 · answer #5 · answered by Pif 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Camouflage serves two purposes:
1. To make something more difficult to see.
2. To tell how far away the "something" is.
Zebra stripes make good urban camouflage.
2006-10-08 07:01:45 · answer #6 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to confuse predators when the are in a herd the stripes make it hard to tell where one animal starts and the others end most animal see in black and white
2006-10-08 10:09:33 · answer #7 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually white with black stripes, look on its belly.
2006-10-08 06:52:27 · answer #8 · answered by x_Super_Social_Superstar_x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Al Gore thinks they have spots. I don't know, maybe God made them that way for camouflage.
2006-10-08 06:52:09 · answer #9 · answered by starrynight1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's like camoflage, or confusion
2006-10-08 23:05:36 · answer #10 · answered by CJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋