How Do Zebras Use Camouflage?

Zebras' stripes are as distinctive and unique as people's fingerprints, with no two patterns being exactly alike. Even so, within each of the three species of zebras, overall markings and patterns are similar. Zebras' stripes are more than unique, they're useful. Zebras' stripes serve as a form or camouflage that helps protect the animals from dangers large and small.

  1. Strength in Numbers

    • Zebra's stripes camouflage them in a running herd by making it hard for predators like lions and hyenas to single out an individual animal from a distance. The stripes create an optical illusion that makes it nearly impossible for predators to focus on any one zebra to attack.

    Strength in Limited Light

    • Zebras' natural striped camouflage may distort distance at dawn and dusk and confuse likely predators such as lions and hyenas into thinking zebras are closer or farther away than they are. Furthermore, zebras' black stripes blend with dark skies, making them hard to spot by predators, like lions, that do their hunting at dusk.

    Natural Bug Deterrent

    • According to National Geographic Magazine, many scientists believe that the natural camouflage of zebras' black-and-white striped coat discourages the onslaught of certain insects that only recognize large patches of single-colored fur. The stripes may confuse insects like the tsetse fly, which cannot see zebras because of their black-and-white stripes

    Some Added Benefits of Natural Camouflage

    • Zebras' natural black-and-white striped camouflage also helps zebras withstand serious sunlight, or solar radiation. Besides functioning as a sort of natural sun protection, Zebras' natural camouflage and patterns of stripes help them to identify each other and maintain family bonds by learning each other's patterns.