The surprising evolutionary reason behind a zebra's iconic stripes
In short: For years, scientists debated whether zebra stripes were for camouflage or pest control. This video explores the latest research suggesting a much more practical purpose: temperature regulation in the African plains.
The distinctive black and white pattern of the zebra has long puzzled researchers. While previous theories suggested stripes might help animals evade predators or avoid biting, disease-carrying flies, new evidence points toward a different mechanism.
A recent study indicates that these thick black stripes likely evolved to assist zebras in managing their body heat while navigating the heat of the African plains.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why Are Zebras Black and White? | Wild Lands: South Africa | BBC Earth
- Also: In Photos: Why Zebras Have Black and White Stripes
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