select language: DE-AT
DE-BE
DE-CH
DE-DE
EN-AU
EN-CA
EN-GB
EN-IN
EN-NZ
EN-US
ES-AR
ES-ES
ES-MX
FR-BE
FR-CA
FR-FR
IT-IT
JA-JP
NL-BE
NL-NL
PT-BR
ZH-CN
DE-AT
DE-BE
DE-CH
DE-DE
ES-ES
FR-BE
FR-FR
IT-IT
NL-BE
NL-NL
Grant's zebra
Stripe science
Why do zebras have stripes? As far as science is concerned, the answer's not in black and white. Originally, it was thought that stripes camouflage the animals amid tall savannah grasses such as those found here in Tanzania. But other research has suggested they serve as an illusion for predators, as reflective protection from hot sunlight or even as a visual bug repellent. One thing we do know is that stripes help us identify zebras by species – such as this Grant's zebra, recognisable by the stripes across its belly – and even as individuals, since their stripe patterns are unique, just like human fingerprints.
Stripe science
Why do zebras have stripes? As far as science is concerned, the answer's not in black and white. Originally, it was thought that stripes camouflage the animals amid tall savannah grasses such as those found here in Tanzania. But other research has suggested they serve as an illusion for predators, as reflective protection from hot sunlight or even as a visual bug repellent. One thing we do know is that stripes help us identify zebras by species – such as this Grant's zebra, recognisable by the stripes across its belly – and even as individuals, since their stripe patterns are unique, just like human fingerprints.
© Gary van Eijk / 500px / Getty Images 2026-09-11 08:45:52 :