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Nature & Environment

How did zebras get their stripes ?

By T.K. Randall
February 10, 2012 · Comment icon 13 comments

Image Credit: Lunkwill
Researchers believe zebras evolved stripes as a way to help keep blood-sucking flies at bay.
The origin of a zebra's stripes has been a topic of much debate for decades. The idea that the stripes are an insect deterrent stems from the way in which the pattern reflects light making it less appealing to the flies. Researchers from Hungary and Sweden tested the theory by setting up several models of horses in a field painted with different patterns, they found that the striped zebra pattern attracted the least amount of flies out of the four.
To test horseflies' reaction to a more realistic 3-D target, the team put four life-size "sticky horse models " into the field - one brown, one black, one white and one black-and-white striped, like a zebra. The researchers collected the trapped flies every two days, and found that the zebra-striped horse model attracted the fewest.


Source: BBC News | Comments (13)

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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #4 Posted by Habitat 13 years ago
I tend to agree. I think their research is interesting, but far from conclusive. Perhaps the props they used smelled different, or contained something else that deterred the flies. Too many variables were left unchecked to me. Even though they discount the theory that stripes are used for blurring the focus of predators--it still makes more sense to me. Where has any research actually proven that stripes are ineffective at confusing predators? In the first World War, before radar, warships were commonly painted with striped camouflage to confuse the enemy, who found it difficult to know exactl... [More]
Comment icon #5 Posted by Singularis 13 years ago
In the first World War, before radar, warships were commonly painted with striped camouflage to confuse the enemy, who found it difficult to know exactly what sort of ship they were looking at, or what heading it was on. Sounds like the type of thing a zebra might employ against attack by a lion. Maybe it dazzles the eyesight of predators, hard to know without a report from the lion. Yes, that makes sense to me. I think you misread my post. I was asking about this research that they are claiming proves that zebra stripes are NOT effective at confusing predators.
Comment icon #6 Posted by spud the mackem 13 years ago
Maybe the researchers have a point,but its very difficult to see a Zebra if it is standing in long grass,like for example elephant grass so I would go along with this instead of a fly deterrent,but maybe flies cannot see stripes,but I think that they would go on smell rather than sight.
Comment icon #7 Posted by Arawyn 13 years ago
wow, so zebra stripes make it difficult to be seen in tall grass AND make it so flies bite them less! Thats cool!
Comment icon #8 Posted by dharma warrior 13 years ago
A zebra's stripes make it harder for a predator to zero in on a single animal in the herd.
Comment icon #9 Posted by Reece22 13 years ago
Developing thick skin like that of a rhino would've made more sense. Stripes? Thick skin = slow Zebra = no Zebra. Evolution culled for an elegant balance here, if the fly deterrence is indeed effective. Interesting!!
Comment icon #10 Posted by Toadie 13 years ago
Sorry what colour where Zebras prior to their stripes?
Comment icon #11 Posted by 747400 13 years ago
No, it's a Barcode so they can be scanned easily at the checkout, of course.
Comment icon #12 Posted by aquatus1 13 years ago
There is no reason why any evolutionary novelty should serve one, and only one, purpose (or, for that matter, any at all, although here they obviously did).
Comment icon #13 Posted by Toadie 13 years ago
Sorry can someone please explain this to me - how did zebra even evolve their stripes when they have always been stripes? I'm just not getting this concept maybe I'm just really over tried
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