The 3 species of zebra are Grevy zebra, mountain zebra and plains zebra. In 1882, the then Emperor of Abyssinia presented a zebra to the President of France whose name was Jules Grevy. This led to the coining of the word Grevy zebra. Mountain zebras usually take a dust bath daily. They have vertical stripes on the torso and neck as well as horizontal ones on the haunches. Plains zebra is the most widespread equine on earth. While in some parts they live a sedentary lifestyle, in other regions like Serengeti they migrate in response to the availability of water.
Zebra
Various theories have been put forward as to the function of zebra stripes. According to a school of thought, its equine ancestor was striped, but they lost it during the evolution. Zebra’s black and white stripes remain a mystery to science even today because they seem out of place in the bush. Zoologists have yet to unravel the mysteries behind its signature striped suit. Scientists are not sure why zebras have not blended in with the browns and reds or why they have stripes. There are many theories and counter-theories to this riddle. Let us examine 2 of such theories.
Travel Through The Savannahs Of Kenya To Get To Know The Zebras
The role of zebra stripes has been an interest for 150 years. It has drawn many hypotheses. They include confusion of predators, camouflage, signalling to conspecifics and avoidance of flies. Regarding confusion of predators, these striped animals do not have the sort of pattern that aids in confusion. Regarding camouflage, zebra stripes are not easy for lions and hyenas to resolve at any great distance. Regarding social benefits, patterns of association and rates of grooming are no greater in striped mammals than in unstriped mammals. However, there is a consensus that the its role is to thwart attack from flies.