Well, scientists aren't entirely sure. Their stripes perhaps serve to dazzle and confuse predators and biting insects, or to control the animal's body heat. Because each individual's stripes are unique, their stripes may also have a social purpose, helping zebras to recognise one other..
Just so, what is special about a zebra?
Zebra are part of the equidae family along with horse and donkeys. Every zebra has a unique pattern of black and white stripes. There are a number of different theories which attempt to explain zebra's unique stripes with most relating to camouflage. Zebras run from side to side to being chased by a predator.
One may also ask, are zebras friendly? The kick of a zebra can break a lion's jaw. They can be savage biters and possess a “ducking” reflex that helps them avoid being caught by lasso. All of this means that zebra are not really “people friendly” and as a species they do not fit the criteria for domestication.
Additionally, what are 3 interesting facts about zebras?
14 Zany Facts About Zebras
- A ZEBRA'S COAT IS A GIANT BAR CODE—AND WE CAN SCAN IT.
- ZEBRA STRIPES MAY SERVE AS BUG SPRAY OR AIR CONDITIONING.
- BUT ZEBRAS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE BLACK AND WHITE STRIPES.
- MOUNTAIN ZEBRAS ARE RUGGED.
- PLAINS ZEBRAS ARE SMALL AND NUMEROUS.
- GREVY'S ZEBRAS ARE LARGE AND PRESIDENTIAL.
- TO TELL THEM APART, LOOK AT THE BUTT.
Are zebras dangerous?
Zebras also have very different temperaments to horses. They're far more aggressive and a lot more dangerous. Zebras have been known to kick each other to death, they will viciously bite any human that comes too close, and there are even many accounts of zebras killing lions.
Related Question Answers
How long does a zebra live?
25 years
How fast can a zebra run?
Zebras are fast animals. They can run 35 miles per hour.What is a group of zebras called?
Turns out a group of zebras is called a zeal or a dazzle.What eats a zebra?
The zebra's main predator or natural enemy is the lion. But other creatures attack, kill and eat zebras as well. Other four-legged natural enemies of the zebra, the wildebeest, and other African herbivores include leopards, hyenas and wild dogs. As for what a zebra eats, zebras are grazers.How many babies can a zebra have?
One Year, One Foal Once mated, there is a gestation period of 12 to 13 months, and then the female gives birth to one newborn, or foal. Zebras are born with their stripes, which appear brown and white at birth. A foal is well developed at birth and weighs an average of 70 pounds.How do zebras communicate?
Zebras sleep standing up like horses. They communicate by barking, snorting or whinnying. A zebra's ears communicate if it is feeling calm or tense. When the zebra herd is threatened, they will form a circle with all their members facing out.How many zebras are killed each year?
Only 2.0% of estimated kills were Grevy's zebra. This represents an estimated 17.6 Plain's zebra and 0.7 Grevy's zebra killed per lion during an average 226.5 days that the 21 lions were followed, or 28.4 Plain's zebra and 1.2 Grevy's zebra killed per lion per year.Can zebras see color?
Zebras have good sight and hearing abilities. It is believed that they see in colour, and as their eyes are on the side of their head, they have a wider field of view than humans, so as well as being able to see what is in front of them, they can see what is at the side of them too.Why do zebras wag their tails?
When Observing, I noticed that the Zebras were wagging their tails. After doing some research, turns out they use their tails as a swatter to swat at the pests that bite them.Are zebras nice or mean?
Why Are Zebras So Mean and Horses So Nice? In any event, it's common knowledge that zebras are mean and you can't really tame them. Horses on the other hand are every little girl's best friend and they are happy to wear garlands of flowers and nibble apples out of your hand.What color is a zebra?
black
How does zebra sleep?
When not eating or traveling, zebras do take the opportunity to sleep. In fact, they sleep standing up! But zebras only sleep when they are in large groups so that they can be alerted of danger. A typical plains zebra family consists of a male, called a stallion, several females, called mares, and their children.How does a zebra protect itself?
Some have suggested that the stripes may help zebras camouflage themselves and escape from lions and other predators; avoid nasty bites from disease-carrying flies; or control body heat by generating small-scale breezes over the zebra's body when light and dark stripes heat up at different rates.What does a zebra sound like?
While it might not “sound” that obvious, zebras do indeed produce noises. Generally speaking, zebras either bark, bray or snort. Such sound signals may express alertness, curiosity, or can be used as a greeting, to show impatience or anger.Can a zebra kill a human?
A kick from a zebra can kill — and these creatures are responsible for more injuries to American zookeepers each year than any other animal. Pity the poor human, therefore, who might try to domesticate a zebra in the wild.Can a zebra and a horse mate?
Horses and zebras can reproduce, and whether the result is a zorse or a hebra depends on the parents. It's an unusual pairing usually requiring human help. Other zebra hybrids include the zonkey. Properly imprinted, equine hybrids can be trained like other domestic donkeys and horses.Can you buy a zebra?
There are a handful of breeders around the country offering Plains zebras for $3,000 to $7,000, depending on their age and condition. (It's illegal to trade in the other species, which are endangered, unless you own a zoo or wildlife sanctuary.) How do you take care of a zebra?Can you break a zebra?
Yes, zebras can be domesticated and trained, but it is not necessarily practical or humane to do so. Many efforts were made to train zebras for riding, drawing, and carrying during the late 19th and early 20th century. There were very practical reasons for doing so.Are zebras good pets?
Owning a zebra is perfectly legal in most of the United States. Then there are the zebras themselves: Beautiful as they are, horsey as they seem, they're not domesticated like horses. And their kick can kill a lion. 
