While stripes may not confuse large predators, they actually fend off smaller ones: flies. Apparently, the stripes disorient flies, causing them not to land on zebras. Since horse flies carry deadly diseases in Africa, this new research suggests zebra stripes aid in survival. A study was done where horse flies landed on zebras and horses. Zoologists believe stripes offer zebras protection from predators in a couple of different ways. The first is as simple pattern-camouflage, much like the type the military uses in its fatigue design­. The wavy lines of a zebra blend in with the wavy lines of the tall grass around it. Zebras’ stripes cannot protect them from predators, Darwin concluded, and current consensus tends to support his view 1,2 . In principle, stripes could support crypsis or aposematism, could Zebras do, however, have several strategies they use to reduce the risk of being hunted by lions and other predators. The most important thing zebras do for protection against predators is staying in groups with other zebras. When zebras are under attack, the strongest zebras form a defensive circle around the weaker zebras to protect them. A new study thinks it has found at least part of the answer, once again the help of some eye-catching black-and-white patterned blankets and a few patient accomplices. Several years ago a study led by researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK found zebra stripes were a reasonably good guard against biting flies. Zebra Predators. Some of the animals that pose a threat to zebras as predators are lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs and crocodiles. Of course, these are not all of the predators that threaten the Zebras in their lands, but some of the most significant ones. Some of the most significant animals that pose a threat to zebras and prey on them 6ViJn. How do zebras protect themselves? Zoologists believe stripes offer zebras protection from predators in a couple of different ways. The first is as simple pattern-camouflage, much like the type the military uses in its fatigue design. The wavy lines of a zebra blend in with the wavy lines of the tall grass around it. What are 5 zebra adaptations? While stripes may not confuse large predators, they actually fend off smaller ones: flies. Apparently, the stripes disorient flies, causing them not to land on zebras. Since horse flies carry deadly diseases in Africa, this new research suggests zebra stripes aid in survival. A study was done where horse flies landed on zebras and horses. Some scientists theorized zebra stripes heat and cool the air near the animal in a way that creates mini air currents. The invisible fans cool down the zebra, who researchers noted, seem un-bothered by the savannah sun. A Hungarian group of scientists looked at air flow made by white and black stripes of hair with special cameras. Zebras are prey animals and tend to be quite skittish with animals that hunt them. But this zebra seems to have a natural death wish, as it keeps walking right into an ambush of crocodiles. Eventually, it escapes from the two crocodiles by getting aggressive and jumpy. How Do Zebras Protect Themselves From Predators? Zebra Shark. The zebra shark, also known as the leopard shark, is a species of requiem shark that lives in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Named for its characteristic black and white stripes, this docile fish can grow up to 6 feet in length. Zebra sharks are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs rather than give birth to live young.

how do zebra stripes protect them from predators