Zebra

[Richprins]

Nice pic, Peter!






From Borderline...hectic stuff!

[Toko]

Biologists believe the black-and-white bands don't help zebras hide from predators.

Melin AD, Kline DW, Hiramatsu C, Caro T (2016) Zebra Stripes through the Eyes of Their Predators, Zebras, and Humans. PLoS ONE 11(1): e0145679. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0145679

Abstract

The century-old idea that stripes make zebras cryptic to large carnivores has never been examined systematically. We evaluated this hypothesis by passing digital images of zebras through species-specific spatial and colour filters to simulate their appearance for the visual systems of zebras’ primary predators and zebras themselves. We also measured stripe widths and luminance contrast to estimate the maximum distances from which lions, spotted hyaenas, and zebras can resolve stripes. We found that beyond ca. 50 m (daylight) and 30 m (twilight) zebra stripes are difficult for the estimated visual systems of large carnivores to resolve, but not humans. On moonless nights, stripes are difficult for all species to resolve beyond ca. 9 m. In open treeless habitats where zebras spend most time, zebras are as clearly identified by the lion visual system as are similar-sized ungulates, suggesting that stripes cannot confer crypsis by disrupting the zebra’s outline. Stripes confer a minor advantage over solid pelage in masking body shape in woodlands, but the effect is stronger for humans than for predators. Zebras appear to be less able than humans to resolve stripes although they are better than their chief predators. In conclusion, compared to the uniform pelage of other sympatric herbivores it appears highly unlikely that stripes are a form of anti-predator camouflage.

[Flutterby]

Oh dear, poor zebras!!

[Richprins]

Thanks, Toks!

So what is the reason for stripes then?

[Lisbeth]

The evolution has almost always a reason for the different characteristics of animals I don't think they have stripes in order to look prettier

[Lisbeth]

WATCH: Just Bites And Kicks In This Zebra Throwdown

https://youtu.be/TOFUdcR9bko

Never get into a kicking match with a zebra.

Latest Sightings shared this insane video of Kruger zebras re-enacting a scene from one of the Rocky Balboa movies. Normally these animals look quite calm in their herds, but this video proves that zebras can be brutal in fights.

The video was captured by Wildlife photographer and guide in the Kruger National Park, Bernhard Bekker, who was waiting at a watering hole for some animals when the zebra herd appeared.

"Rapidly the zebras started to fight and bite each other, it looked like a bachelor's herd so no females joined the group as far as we could see," Bekker told Latest Sigthings.

The fight lasted 15 minutes, which gave Bekker's fellow photographer ample time to capture some once-in-a-lifetime shots of zebra behaviour.

[Flutterby]

Wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of one of those kicks!

[okie]

ooohh ...... I hate it when it is time to bath

[nan]

but some prefere bath than shower


nice picture

[Lisbeth]

It is really needed, they are all terribly dirty