Is the zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes? Zebra white with black stripes or vice versa

There are three types of zebras: desert, savannah, and mountain. We dealt with savannah zebras all the time. It can be distinguished by its wide stripes and the presence of shadow stripes.

To get the full picture, I’ll briefly talk about other types of zebras that we haven’t met.

Mountain zebra. It has wider black stripes and thinner white spaces. And, as you can see, there are no shadow stripes.

Desert zebra. Thin stripes located close to each other. And she also has a wide dark stripe that runs along her spine.

It is also worth mentioning the Quagga Zebra, which, unfortunately, was completely exterminated in 1878. She looked like this:

But let's not talk about sad things and return to our savannah zebras. We met them not only in national parks, but also sometimes just along the road in the savannah. Zebras have always been around in large groups. And often in pairs. Find the boy))

Once in Etosha National Park (Namibia) we met an albino zebra:

And this guy walked and listened to music on headphones:

Zebra baby drinks mother's milk:

And this is us fording the stream. The zebras, initially unnoticed by us, rush in all directions:

Laughs (apparently at us):

Well, and more zebras-zebras-zebras:

Zebra is an animal of the class Mammals, order Odd-toed ungulates, equine family, genus horse, subgenus zebra (lat. Hippotigris).

The origin of the word “zebra” most likely has African roots, and was borrowed by the colonists from the Aborigines, whose dialect contains the word “zebra”.

Description of the zebra, structure, characteristics, photographs.

Zebra is an animal with a medium-sized body, reaching more than 2 meters in length. The weight of a zebra is 300-350 kg. Its tail is of medium length, usually growing up to 50 cm. The male zebra is larger than the female, its height at the withers is 1.4 - 1.5 meters. These animals have a fairly dense and stocky build. The zebra's legs are short, ending in strong hooves.

The zebra's mane is short and stiff. The central row of pile runs along the back with a characteristic “brush” from the head all the way to the tail. The zebra's neck is muscular; in males it is thicker.

Zebras do not run as fast as zebras, but if necessary they can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. When pursued, the zebra uses a special zigzag running tactic, which, coupled with special endurance, makes the animal unattainable prey for many predators.

The zebra has very poor eyesight, but a well-developed sense of smell, allowing the animal to smell potential danger at a considerable distance and warn the native herd in time.

The sounds made by zebras are very diverse. They are similar to the barking, neighing of a horse, the cries of a donkey, etc. It all depends on the situation in which the zebra screams. Under favorable circumstances, the life expectancy of a zebra is wild conditions reaches 25-30 years, in captivity - up to 40 years.

Zebra stripes. Why is a zebra striped?

Many people ask the question: “What color is a zebra? White or black." There is still debate about the color of the zebra: the animal is white with black stripes or vice versa. Scientists say that the dominant color is still black. In any case, the stripes on a zebra's skin form a unique pattern for each individual, just as no two have the same stripes.

The zebra's stripes on the neck and head are located vertically, the animal's body is painted with stripes at an angle, and the legs are decorated with horizontal stripes. Interesting feature- Zebra cubs recognize their mother by their unique stripe pattern.

The zebra's stripes are a kind of protection: the animal visually merges with the hot, trembling air of the savannah, disorienting predators. It is also a camouflage against Tsetse flies, which react only to polarized color and perceive the zebra as an inedible object, representing a flickering of black and white stripes.

The last explanation is that zebra stripes thermoregulate the animal's body. There is an opinion that the black and white coloring of the zebra can cool the animal. The fact is that areas of the body heat up differently: white areas are weaker, black areas are stronger. The difference in temperature causes microcirculation of air currents near the animal, which helps the zebra live under the scorching sun.

Types of zebras, names and photographs.

The zebra subgenus includes only 3 species:

• Burchellova(savanna) zebra(lat. Equus quagga or Equus burchelli) - the most common species, which received its name in honor of the English botanist William Burchell. The pattern on the skin of this type of zebra varies depending on its habitat, which is why 6 subspecies have been identified. The northern subspecies have a more pronounced pattern, the southern subspecies are distinguished by a blurred stripe pattern on the lower part of the body and the presence of beige stripes on the white background of the zebra skin. The size of the Burchell's zebra is 2-2.4 meters, the tail length is 47-57 cm, the height of the zebra at the withers reaches 1.4 meters. The weight of the Burchell's zebra is 290-340 kg. The habitat of this zebra species covers southeastern part African continent. Burchell's zebra, unlike the desert zebra, is smaller in size and has sparser stripes. Unlike the mountain zebra, the Burchell's zebra does not have a bulge in the neck and does not have a lattice pattern on the rump.

• Grevy's zebra(desert zebra)(lat. Equus grevyi) is named after one of the presidents of France, Jules Grevy, who received a gift in the form of a striped animal from the authorities of Abyssinia at the end of the 19th century. Representatives of the desert zebra species are considered the largest animals from the entire equine family, have a long body up to 3 m and weigh over 400 kg. The length of the desert zebra's tail reaches 50 cm. Distinctive feature The species is predominantly white or white-yellow in color and has a wide dark stripe running down the middle of the back. The stripes of Grévy's zebra are thinner than those of other zebra species and are located closer friend to friend. The color of the stripes is black or black-brown. There are no stripes on the belly. Zebra ears are brown in color and round in shape. This species of zebra is common in subequatorial belt eastern part of the African continent: Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Meru.

• mountain zebra ( lat. Equus zebra) has the darkest coloration with a predominance of black color and thin white stripes. The stripes on the legs extend to the hooves. The weight of the mountain zebra is 260-370 kg, the length of the zebra is 2.2 meters, the height of the zebra is 1.2-1.5 meters.

The species forms 2 subspecies:

1. cape mountain zebra(lat. Equus zebra zebra) is protected by the South African states due to excessive extermination in the early 20th century. On this moment approximately 400 representatives of the subspecies live in the national parks of South Africa, in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape zebra is the most small view zebras. The thinnest stripes of the animal are located on the head. There are no stripes on the belly. The height of the Cape zebra at the withers is 116-128 cm, the weight of the female (mare) reaches 234 kg, the weight of the stallion is 250-260 kg. The Cape zebra differs from Hartmann's zebra in having slightly thicker stripes and longer ears.

1. Hartmann's mountain zebra(lat. Equus zebra hartmannae) is also on the verge of extinction, subject to merciless shooting by farmers protecting pastures for their livestock. Compared to the 20th century, the population has decreased 8 times and, according to the latest data, there are about 15 thousand individuals living in the mountainous regions of Namibia. Hartmann's mountain zebra is larger than the Cape zebra and has narrower black stripes. The height of Harman's zebra at the withers is 1.5 meters, the weight of the zebra is 250-350 kg.

• Zebroids and Zebrulas (ponisebr or zebrapon, oslozebra)- hybrids of a zebra and a domestic horse, as well as a zebra and a donkey, first crossed in 1815. For hybridization, a male zebra and a female of other members of the family are usually used. Zebroids are more horse-like and share part of their father's striped coloring. Hybrids are quite aggressive, but they are more trainable than zebras, so they are used as riding and pack animals.

• Quagga(lat.Equus quagga quagga) - an extinct species of zebra. According to modern researchers, the quagga is a subspecies of Burchell's zebra. They lived in South Africa. On the front they had the striped coloring of all zebras, and on the back they had the bay coloring of a horse. Their body length was 180 cm. Quaggas were tamed by humans and were used to guard herds. The world's last quagga zebra died at the Amsterdam Zoo in 1883.

Where do zebras live?

Plains zebras live in savannas East Africa, including part of the south of the mainland, as well as southern lands Sudan and Ethiopia. Desert zebras live in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Mountain zebras are common in the highlands of Namibia and South Africa at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. Initially, the animals were widespread throughout the African continent, but over time their numbers decreased significantly.

What does a zebra eat?

The zebra's diet consists of various grasses, foliage of shrubs, tree bark, buds, young shoots and roots of plants. Calorie-poor diets force animals to eat most days. A zebra needs water at least once a day, and a nursing female zebra especially needs water. If rivers and lakes dry up, animals dig artificial wells and pits up to half a meter deep. When enough water accumulates at the bottom, zebras use it to drink. During particularly dry months, zebra herds migrate vast distances in search of green pastures.

I have one simple question for you: is a zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes? It might seem like a simple question, but I think it will confuse some.

Let's vote before we find out the correct answer:

Well, now, I won’t bore you with waiting and will tell you how it really is.

Many people believe that a zebra is White horse with black stripes, since zebras have white bellies. However, studies of zebras at the embryonic stage show that the background color of the animal is black, so it is more correct to consider the zebra to be black with white stripes.

Since black stripes are caused by the genetic process of selective pigmentation (the presence of pigment), therefore, black is the main pigment, and white stripes are its absence.

Why is a zebra interested in stripes?

The appearance of the zebra has always raised many questions. Scientists have put forward a lot various hypotheses, why does this animal need such an extreme color, but each time there was no confirmation of the assumptions. Today, apparently, the controversy has come to an end. A group of British scientists has found a completely logical explanation black and white stripes. In an article published in scientific journal Journal of Experimental Biology, the researchers wrote that this coloration is the least attractive to horse flies.

To prove their theory, scientists conducted an experiment with three models of horses, one of which was painted in White color, the other - in black, and the third - "zebra". All models were coated with a special sticky liquid so that horse flies that landed on them could later be counted. It was the third “horse,” the article says, that attracted the least number of insects.

Previously, scientists assumed that the zebra's color was protective. But as a result of many studies, it was concluded that the black and white color does not deter predators at all. The theory that the stripes make the animal less noticeable among the shadows and light alternating in the tall grass has also not been confirmed, since the zebra's main enemy, the lion, hunts only at close range.

There was also a version that during the mass movement striped zebras merge into one large stream, and this prevents the predator from fixing its gaze on any one individual. However, practice shows that a lion is just as often successful in hunting a zebra as in other animals.

Moreover, at night in the moonlight the zebra stands out and its chances of survival are less than those of other inhabitants. African steppe, since lions are night hunters.

The opinion was also expressed that black and white stripes Zebras are designed to attract the attention of the opposite sex. But this assumption did not stand up to criticism, since individuals of both sexes have stripes.
Some zoologists believe that the black and white color saves the zebra from the scorching African sun. But, if this theory were true, then other savannah animals would have such stripes.

Each zebra has its own unique pattern, similar to human fingerprints. A zebra cub recognizes its mother by the drawing. The first time after the birth of a foal, she covers it with her body from her relatives so that he remembers her coloring.

You can even tell where a zebra lives by its striped fur. Zebras found in the northern plains have black and white stripes. The zebras that inhabit southern savannas, the stripes on the coat are dark, but not jet black. Sometimes they are even chestnut. Some zebras living on the southern plains also have pale brownish stripes on their white fur between the black stripes. There are zebras whose black stripes merge with each other. The fur of these animals looks spotted.

Here's what else you can remember about the zebra:

The average lifespan of zebras is 25 years, but in captivity they can live up to 35-40.

When all the zebras in the herd are resting, several “volunteers” stand guard in order to warn all their relatives about the approaching danger if something happens.

Zebras have a very developed sense of family. Some individuals can form alliances for life. And despite the fact that there may be a thousand heads in the herd, they are all divided into small families.

Small foals are not born with black stripes, like adults, but red-brown.

Zebras are very clean animals by nature; you can often see them cleaning each other's sides, shoulders and back. After birth, foals begin to walk and drink mother's milk within half an hour. And the milk that zebras feed their foals is not white, but pink.

The body length of zebras can reach two to two and a half meters, and the height limit is one and a half meters. Each zebra has a unique striped pattern on its body, and no other zebra has exactly the same pattern. In fact, a zebra is black with white stripes, and not vice versa. Since black stripes are caused by the genetic process of selective pigmentation (the presence of pigment), therefore black color is the main pigment, and white stripes are its absence.

Striped coloring helps zebras escape tsetse flies. Insects attack any warm moving object, even a car. But zebras perceive tsetse flies simply as flashing black and white stripes and do not regard them as a source of food.

Mountain zebras love to soak in dust baths and they do this almost every day. Zebras are able to distinguish their fellow herd members by their stripes. This is exactly how a little foal recognizes its mother. Ancient people tried to domesticate zebras more than once, but this was not particularly successful.

Zebras can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. Zebras are very shy, even in zoos it is difficult to approach their enclosure, as the animals immediately run away.

Is the zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes?

Someone wrote about zebras: “The horses are lined, like school notebooks.” It is widely known that zebras are striped creatures, but what color they are is not clear. Europeans claim that they are white and have black stripes, but Africans believe that the body of zebras is black and the stripes on it are white. It's hard to say who is right here.

There are many answers to this question and each one proves in its own way what color a zebra has.

During the research, we put forward our first hypothesis, a hypothesis from the artist’s point of view. It’s true, first we draw the silhouette of a zebra on paper, it turns out white, and then to give it color, we add black stripes on its body, and it turns out white with black stripes. We have shown an example of this proof in the figure.

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

But these are only actions on the part of the artist.

We put forward the second hypothesis by studying the zebra from a psychological point of view. What mood is the zebra in, these are the stripes on its body: if it good mood then its color becomes white with black stripes, and if a zebra has Bad mood, then the color becomes black and white stripes.

Our third hypothesis is a refutation of all valid theories of this issue. From the side of science, the student natural world. We considered that in fact the animal is black with white stripes, since black color is a genetic process with the presence of pigment, which means black is the main color, and white stripes are the absence of black pigment on the animal’s body. It follows that we have come to a single conclusion, which is based on scientific evidence.