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 Zebras
are like horses with special black and white stripes. The patterns
of stripes are unique. Did you know that every zebra has a completely different pattern
of stripes? The purpose of the stripes is to tell different zebras
apart. Isn’t it interesting? There are more interesting reasons why
they have stripes.
First, the stripes help zebras to hide from or confuse animals, such as
lions, which hunt them. Their stripes are a perfect disguise in their original
habitat, the open plains of Africa. Even if
predators can see zebras, their stripes make it difficult to know
exactly how far away they
are. That is how zebras protect themselves.
 In addition,
their special coat is thought to help protect zebras from the heat
of the sun! According to a recent study,
it is because the black stripes get hot more quickly than the white
stripes. So when the hot air moves from above the black stripes to
the cooler space above the white stripes, a mini tornado occurs. This
helps the zebras stay cooll!
Lastly, new research shows that the colors of zebra stripes might
also help keep away the horsefly. Horseflies bite,
and they can carry dangerous diseases.
Zebras are vulnerable to their attacks.
Therefore, the stripes play an important role in
confusing the bugs, just like they confuse the predators. Isn’t it
cool? |
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