When they run in groups the stripes crossing in different directions make it more difficult for a predator to isolate and attack a single animal which makes them harder to hunt. Please explain how stripes are a protection against biting insects and that biting insects are a big problem with zebras. Makes no sense
Research some years ago said the stripes confused predators when zebras are in a herd, when they stampede it is difficult for the predator to pick out a single victim unless it is isolated from the herd. It is not about camouflage
Biting flies…maybe.
Camouflage…definitely – to say otherwise seems like negating the obvious.
Let’s see what the study publishes first and check their methodology.
This article it would appear, presents more “click-bait” than substantive information.
This is one of those cases when it could be for both purposes: insect deterrence and camouflage.
Why does it have to be one or the other?
i.e. I could use a pencil for writing as well as a weapon.
I just recently watched a program on public television stating that the reason they have stripes is to confuse the predators in the way of not being able to focus on their target. They used the example of a bike rim. When it’s moving forward quickly it looks like it’s moving the other way. They can’t lock on the prey as easily in a short time frame.
How many years now has it been understood that zebras’ stripes create an optical movement camouflage? When they are running in a herd, the stripes play out like a psychadelic fractal image and confuse they eye of the predator, creating a larger margin of error in singling out one prey animal in the bunch….I see the people doing the research travelled back in time to regain ignorance….idiots…..
Most likely the zebra stripes serve to confuse predators when attacking a herd making it more difficult for individual animals to be selected from the group. Very much the strategy of schooling fish. This breaks down when an individual separates from the group and the illusion is broken.
When they run in groups the stripes crossing in different directions make it more difficult for a predator to isolate and attack a single animal which makes them harder to hunt. Please explain how stripes are a protection against biting insects and that biting insects are a big problem with zebras. Makes no sense
Research some years ago said the stripes confused predators when zebras are in a herd, when they stampede it is difficult for the predator to pick out a single victim unless it is isolated from the herd. It is not about camouflage
Biting flies…maybe.
Camouflage…definitely – to say otherwise seems like negating the obvious.
Let’s see what the study publishes first and check their methodology.
This article it would appear, presents more “click-bait” than substantive information.
This is one of those cases when it could be for both purposes: insect deterrence and camouflage.
Why does it have to be one or the other?
i.e. I could use a pencil for writing as well as a weapon.
Their assertion seems biased and incoherent.
Perhaps it’s just the way God designed them??
I find it funny that someone actually paid for this study to be done.
I just recently watched a program on public television stating that the reason they have stripes is to confuse the predators in the way of not being able to focus on their target. They used the example of a bike rim. When it’s moving forward quickly it looks like it’s moving the other way. They can’t lock on the prey as easily in a short time frame.
How many years now has it been understood that zebras’ stripes create an optical movement camouflage? When they are running in a herd, the stripes play out like a psychadelic fractal image and confuse they eye of the predator, creating a larger margin of error in singling out one prey animal in the bunch….I see the people doing the research travelled back in time to regain ignorance….idiots…..
Most likely the zebra stripes serve to confuse predators when attacking a herd making it more difficult for individual animals to be selected from the group. Very much the strategy of schooling fish. This breaks down when an individual separates from the group and the illusion is broken.
The zebra’s stripes are there BECAUSE WE LIKE THEM!