The origins of zebras’ signature black and white stripes are unknown, but they probably developed as a defense against horseflies, which are attracted to dark-colored animals. Studies conducted by scientists found that the dark-colored coats of horses attracted more horseflies than those with light-colored coats. This is because horseflies are drawn to the horizontal wave of light produced by the dark coats of animals.
Avoiding bites from flies
There was once a popular belief that zebras’ stripes prevented flies from landing on them, resulting in fewer bites. The new study supports this theory. Researchers studied seven species of equids, including zebras, to see whether their stripes help them avoid bug bites. They found that flies only get deterred when they approach them close up, indicating that zebras’ stripes may have evolved as an insect deterrent.
The stripes on zebras’ bodies dazzle flies, preventing them from safely landing on the animals. Consequently, they often zoom in too quickly, bumping into the zebra. Similarly, flies do not like horses with zebra coats. Flies prefer bare-headed horses. Moreover, the high contrast of black and white fools a fly’s low-resolution vision, which relies on sensitivity to movement.
Some scientists have proposed a dozen theories about zebra evolution. Some argue that stripes help the animal avoid bites from flies and help it remain cool. Others believe that stripes were first adapted for protection against predators. Regardless of the theory, zebras’ stripes have been a common feature since Darwin.
As the zebras’ stripes have multiple properties, the stripes confuse flying insects and disrupt their optic flow, resulting in false motion cues and spatio-temporal aliasing. The effect of zebra stripes on flies is measurable in the behaviour of flies around different patterned rugs.
In an experiment with domestic horses and plains zebras, researchers used a variety of coats on the animals. They observed that the horseflies that landed on zebras circled them less than those on domestic horses. This is a good thing for human health and the environment, as the black and white stripes protect livestock against fly bites.
A study in Japan found that zebras with black-and-white stripes were less likely to get bitten by flies compared to those with all-black bodies. However, it did show that black-and-white-striped cows were less likely to have fly-repelling behavior than non-black-striped cows.
Blending in with the natural light
A zebra’s stripes blend in with the natural light because their black and white color scheme mimics the patterns of light and shadow that occur naturally. They also mimic the vertical bands of brightness and darkness that occur in trees. They use these patterns to blend in with their surroundings, which allows them to see clearly in the evening and early morning light.
In addition, zebras’ stripes serve as a deterrent against predators such as lions and hyenas, which can be blind at night. The zebras’ stripes also create the optical illusion of a massive mass, making them more difficult for predators to identify.
The stripes of zebras are a result of their environment. They are often in open areas, where they need to be able to exchange heat with the environment. This is because the zebra spends most of its time in open areas.
A recent study in Hungary has shown that the black and white stripes of zebras make them less attractive to blood-sucking tsetse flies and tabanid horseflies. In fact, a 2012 experiment in Hungary showed that zebra-striped models were minimally attractive to these pests. The researchers have also determined that the stripes of zebras can increase the amount of time they spend indoors.
It has long been believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes. However, principles of embryology reveal that the true color of a zebra is black. The white stripe is actually a white band around a black body. Therefore, while zebras are beautiful, there are many questions about their origins.
Different zebra species have different stripe patterns. These stripes can help identify individual zebras and their mothers. Their stripes also help zebras recognize each other. This helps protect them from predators and strengthen bonds between group members. The stripes also help protect them from insects.
Zebras’ stripes help them regulate their body temperature. Since black and white surfaces absorb heat differently, zebras’ stripes are a natural cooling system.
Adaptation to flies
Adaptation to flies is one of the possible explanations for zebras’ black and white stripes. Zebras have extremely thin coats of hair and flies can easily penetrate them. By contrast, antelopes have thicker coats and flies cannot penetrate these. However, before Caro and her team can be sure that this theory is the right one, they must first convince the general public that zebra stripes are an adaptation to flies.
In hotter climates, the stripes are more pronounced. These stripes help zebras stay five degrees cooler and prevent nasty bug bites. In addition, zebras are striped on their backs and stomachs to make it difficult for flies to eat them. In rare cases, the stripes on the zebra’s back may be orange rather than black.
The reason for zebras’ black and white stripes is largely unknown, but there are many hypotheses for the reasons behind the stripes. Some speculate that the stripes serve as a defense against predators, while others think that they are used as camouflage. They may also confuse predators by misjudging their numbers or size, or even their flight speed. Other hypotheses include aposematism and social factors such as individual recognition and social stimulation among conspecifics.
Another possibility is that stripes protect zebras from biting flies. It may also serve to break up the silhouette of the body against a strong background, which could cause it to look smaller than it actually is. In addition to this, stripes may be an optical illusion and distract flies from feeding on the zebra’s skin.
Zebras have stripes that differ in width from species to species. In northern populations, zebras have full-length stripes on their legs, while zebras from southern populations are less heavily striped. The extent of striping varies by population, which may be related to the maximum annual vegetation density. The stripes are likely functional in deterring the tsetse flies that can be harmful to zebras.
The black and white stripes of zebras may also help the animal to regulate temperature. While the role of stripes in thermoregulation remains unclear, it is thought to help zebras fight off biting flies by reducing the heat of their skin. However, this hypothesis is not supported by any experimental evidence.
