Zebra stripes are typically black stripes on white background.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.
Zoologists think that the stripes act as a camouflage mechanism. This is accomplished in several ways. First, the vertical striping helps the zebra hide in grass. At first glance, this may seem absurd considering that grass is neither white nor black, but it makes sense because the zebra's main predator, the lion, is color blind. A zebra standing still in tall grass may not be noticed at all by a lion. However, zebras are herd animals and do not commonly travel alone, so the second way the stripes help in camouflage is by confusing the lion - many zebras standing or moving close together may appear as one large animal, making it more difficult for the lion to pick out any single zebra to attack.
Stripes are also believed 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 also an effective means of confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.[citation needed] Alternative theories include that the stripes coincide with fat patterning beneath the skin, serving as a thermoregulatory mechanism for the zebra, and that wounds sustained disrupt the striping pattern to clearly indicate the fitness of the animal to potential mates.........
Zoologists think that the stripes act as a camouflage mechanism. This is accomplished in several ways. First, the vertical striping helps the zebra hide in grass. At first glance, this may seem absurd considering that grass is neither white nor black, but it makes sense because the zebra's main predator, the lion, is color blind. A zebra standing still in tall grass may not be noticed at all by a lion. However, zebras are herd animals and do not commonly travel alone, so the second way the stripes help in camouflage is by confusing the lion - many zebras standing or moving close together may appear as one large animal, making it more difficult for the lion to pick out any single zebra to attack.
Stripes are also believed 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 also an effective means of confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.[citation needed] Alternative theories include that the stripes coincide with fat patterning beneath the skin, serving as a thermoregulatory mechanism for the zebra, and that wounds sustained disrupt the striping pattern to clearly indicate the fitness of the animal to potential mates.........
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