Did you know that when a herd of zebra merge together their stripes make it almost impossible for predators to single out an individual animal? And that a zebra’s stripes are not unlike the identifying fingerprints of humans in that they are totally unique to each animal?
Zebras have attracted man’s fascination for centuries. Mostly because of their intricate and distinctly patterned black and white stripes. In some cultures, the zebra’s stripes are a symbol of harmony and balance such as in Native American shamanism. The zebra is closely related to donkeys and horses, and there are three species of zebra: Gevy’s, mountain and plains zebra, and of the three the latter is by far the most commonly found all over Africa.
Interestingly enough the zebra’s stripy coat also prevents the animal from overheating in the extreme African temperatures by acting as a sunscreen and dispersing more than 70 per cent of the heat. It even aids as a form of camouflage in the long grass by distracting predators. Recent research has found that a zebra’s stripy coat may, in fact, have evolved to keep insects away! The black and white pattern seems to disrupt the fly’s visual systems, and even bloodsucking horseflies are less attracted to their funky coat.
Zebras use various vocal sounds and will bray, snort, balk or huff to communicate with one another. They also communicate by altering the position of their tail and ears. They can swivel their ears in nearly all directions to communicate their mood. Flattened ears, for example, means trouble, but erect ears will signal that the animal is calm and content.
SOURCES: https://www.africansafaris.com/the-zebra-one-of-africas-most-beautiful-creatures/
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