What are some forms of variation that may be present, but not obvious in a zebra herd?

Question

And I know sexual reproduction is probably the most important factor in maintaining variation
in a population. But how does sexual reproduction contributes to variation?

Answer 1

1. Individual zebras would vary slightly in their eyesight, hearing, sense of smell, taste, ...
2. Longer, shorter ears
3. Length of tail
4. Hardness of tooth enamel
5. Capacity of stomach
6. Pitch of voice
7. Ability to digest plant fiber
8. Allergies
9. Metabolism
10. Aggressiveness

Answer 2

The stripes are different on each zebra.

Sexual reproduction has various ways to increase variation. Crossing over is probably one of the most important. It exchanges DNA between sister chromosomes during meiosis. The chromosomes are also mixed up during the formation of gametes. Each gamete (egg and sperm) has a randomized collection of chromosomes.