Zoo lovers answer this please?

Question

Why do zebras have stripes?

Answer 1

There is a collection of reasons really...

1: the stripes help the herd to blend into one mass making it harder for predators to single animals out

2: the stripes on the bum are like fingerprints, foals know their mothers fingerprints so it makes it easier for the kid to follow mama around in such a large group

3: they believe that the sharp pattern of black and white also helps to keep the animals body temp regulated... (white reflects, black absorbs) the combo of the two help keep it in the middle

4: they are not sure exactly why but the pattern seems to keep away flying pests as well, mainly flies that carry deadly diseases

Answer 2

For the same reason that any other animal with stripes have..to merge with the plants fo rprotection against predators. But when they are in zoos they cannot wash the stripes off.

Answer 3

The zebra's stripes serve as their camouflage especially in bushes or tall grass. Although it is easy for humans to spot them, some predators like lions or leopards would find it confusing because they are color-blind, or see only black and white colors.

Answer 4

I guess it is because the zebras get in one herd and start running from lions and that makes it hard for lions or cheetahs to see which one is the best thus making every zebra safe

Answer 5

from a distance in the savannas predators vision isnt so good, so the zebra appears to blur into the background

Answer 6

To blend in with each other, thus looking like one giant splotch of white and black? Or perhaps to make it harder for a predator to spot one from the other?

I honestly have no idea, but figured that that sounded like a decent enough hypothesis. :p

Answer 7

they have stripes so when they are in a field in a big herd, their predators' eyes cant distinguish one animal from another. its basically a camoflauge but it hides them with each other! good question