🦓 ZEBRA: WHY THE STRIPES?
PAGE 1 OF 5, LIVING BARCODE
NO CLONE COAT
STRIPES LIKE A FINGERPRINT
Zebras are grassland Equus horses in bold pyjamas: plains, mountain, and Grevy's species (and subspecies) differ in stripe width, belly pattern, and ear size, but every individual's striping is unique. Researchers photograph "stripe maps" to ID animals in long studies, like a library of living barcodes. Stripes run from ears to hooves and even into the mane, it is not face-paint you can peel off; it is skin patterning with real jobs in the wild.
📌 NOT JUST FOR SHOW
Stripes may help with identity, thermoregulation, pest deterrence, and confusing predators, probably several forces at once, not a single "magic reason."
ID!
SPECIES
🦓 Grevy's: narrow stripes, big ears, donkey-like
🦓 Plains: broad bold bands, huge herds
🦓 Plains: broad bold bands, huge herds
FOAL
Brownish baby coat → black & white in weeks
Mum memorises your pattern fast
Mum memorises your pattern fast