Z is for Zebra
Image by amateur_photo_bore on Flikr.
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There are three species of zebra – Plains zebra (with 6 subspecies, one extinct), Mountain zebra (with 2 subspecies) and Grévy’s zebra. Although some species overlap in their habitat, they do not interbreed, and although in captivity Plains zebra can interbreed with Mountain zebra, Grévy’s zebra suffer a high rate of miscarriage.
It has been found that the skin colour of a zebra is black, so it has white stripes and belly.
Scientists have several theories as to why zebras have stripes.
One is that the stripes confuse insects, who see linearly polarised light – the stripes disrupt the pattern, so possibly the stripes serve to keep irritation from biting insects down.
Another theory is that the black and white stripes serve as a cooling system.
It is possible that the stripes allow zebra to recognise each other, as each zebra has a pattern unique to itself, although its overall pattern conforms to the general one of each species – plains zebras’ stripes are more widely spread apart than those of the mountain zebra for instance.
The stripes could serve to break up the outline of a zebra when it is alone among the grasses.
And the most likely theory to me (although all of the above may be true also!) is that when all the zebra are together the stripes cause motion dazzle to the eyes, which confuses predators – it is very difficult for them to pick out one zebra from the herd with any degree of accuracy, and the herd merges into one big stripey animal.
Also, I think a baby zebra is camouflaged very well by the side of its mother – it is quite hard to see, as their stripes join together – this would certainly keep a baby zebra safer, as it would be less likely to be targeted by a predator as young and vulnerable.
Zebra are highly sociable and know each member of their herd – they are thoughtful to each other , they will walk at the pace of the slowest member – an elderly zebra, or a new baby.
If one zebra is attacked, the others will bravely turn back and surround the predator and try to drive it off.
If one member of the herd gets lost, the others will search for it.
I became rather fond of zebras after researching them!
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Photo © as above.
Poem © Liz Brownlee.
Facts: Wikipedia.
If you would like to blog-hop to the next A-Z Challenge blog, please click here.
If you’d like to read about or buy my book, Animal Magic, full of animal poems and fascinating facts, click here.
- Posted in: A-Z Challenge 2014 ♦ Animals ♦ Poems ♦ Sustainability
- Tagged: Africa, animal, endangered, horses, nature, poems, poetry, science, stripes, sustainability, wildlife, zebra
lizbrownlee - poet 
xxx
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The last post and I had a feeling it would be the Zebra:) Great poem again and I agree with you about the coat
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Thank you Birgit! Away on a poetry retreat so had to schedule these last posts!
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Great poem and great info. I love the zebra – they are so much like the horses we see, but more exotic.
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They are very beautiful! Thanks, Linda!
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That’s a perfect “Z” post! Love the zebra picture!
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Thank you, Sherry!
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I did not know that zebras were black and their stripes white. Interesting. I wonder at what point the stripes develop.
Ho’omaika’i (Congratulations) on completing the AtoZChallenge; and Happy “May Day is Lei Day” Hawaii tomorrow! Gail visiting for AtoZ
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I have no idea, but will look it up when I get back from this poetry retreat! Thank you, and Ho’omaika’i to you too!
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You’ve reached the end – well done! Why do scientists have to find a reason for everything? Isn’t it possible that they have stripes simply as a fashion statement?
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Aaaah… everything has a purpose in nature… fashion statements for no reason are human folly, although fashion is rather similar in nature to clothing oneself in bright feathers to attract a mate, belong to a cohort, or to assume leadership in some way… that wasn’t what you wanted to hear, was it?
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What a fitting ode to Zebra!! As a child, I love Zebra and was mesmerized. Congrats A to Z champ:)
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Thank you Vishal! And congratulations to you, too!
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Thanks ton, Liz:)
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