That’s a great question that has puzzled scientists for a very long time! The most popular idea is that zebras have stripes to protect them from tiny, biting insects like tsetse flies. It turns out that these flies don’t like to land on surfaces with black and white stripes. The pattern seems to confuse their eyesight, making it hard for them to get a good landing. This is super important because some of these insects can carry diseases that can make zebras very sick.
Another cool idea is that the stripes help keep zebras safe from predators. When a whole herd of zebras runs together, all those moving stripes can create a confusing “dazzle” effect. This makes it really difficult for a lion or other predator to single out one zebra to chase. Instead of seeing individual animals, the predator might just see a big, blurry mass of moving lines. It’s like a natural magic trick!
The stripes might also help zebras stay cool in the hot African sun. The black stripes absorb heat, while the white stripes reflect it. This difference in temperature might create tiny air currents around the zebra’s body, which helps to cool them down. What a smart design for an animal that lives in such a warm climate! These are the kinds of fun and smart questions we love to explore here at Vero Q&A.