Why do zebras have stripes?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Repel biting flies
Confuse predators when running — Wrong. While the 'motion dazzle' theory was popular, research shows predators aren't confused by stripes during hunts. Lions successfully catch zebras despite the stripes. The confusion hypothesis lacks strong evidence.
Repel biting flies ✓ — Correct! Recent research shows stripes primarily deter biting flies (tsetse and horseflies) which carry diseases. Flies have trouble landing on striped patterns. In experiments, horses wearing striped coats had 70% fewer fly landings! The stripe width matches fly visual sensitivity patterns.
Camouflage in tall grass — Wrong. Black-and-white stripes don't blend into the savanna at all! Zebras stand out against golden grass. Research debunked this old theory—stripes actually deter biting flies that carry deadly diseases.
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