Zebra With Colored Stripes

The question of whether zebras are white with black stripes or black with white stripes might seem like the set-up for a classic joke like this one: Q: What's black and white and red all over? A: A zebra with a sunburn! But this question is no joke, because it actually does have an answer: zebras are black with white stripes. The Primary Color of a Zebra A zebra's base color is black, with white stripes forming as a secondary development. Biologists agree that a zebra's skin, underneath its fur, is uniformly black.

All zebra fur, whether black or white, originates from follicles containing melanocytes, which produce melanin (the pigment for color). Rudyard Kipling playfully wrote that zebras stripes were due to "the slippery-slidy shadows of the trees" falling on its body but are scientists getting closer to the truth? Zebra stripes are definitely a structural adaptation, meaning they are a physical part (fur) of the animal itself.

What are some of the competing ideas for why stripes were such a helpful mutation for zebras-in other words, why did zebras get their stripes? camouflage? But many zoologists describe the zebra's color pattern as 'black with white stripes' This makes the most sense, because the color pattern results from the process of pigment activation and inhibition―activation results in black, and inhibition results in white (lack of pigment). Unravel the mystery of zebras' true color in our exploration of whether they are white with black stripes or black with white stripes.

Delve into the fascinating science behind zebra coat development. Because the color black absorbs more heat than the color white, this theory suggests air flows more quickly over the black stripes and slows over the white stripes. That creates little eddies, or swirls of air, which cool the zebra's skin.

And after long hours of grazing under the hot sun, even a slight breeze probably feels pretty great! Mountain zebra (Equus zebra): Native to southern Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, mountain zebras are the least common of the three species. They have wide dark stripes against a cream-colored background and a white belly.

A dewlap (flap of skin hanging from their throats) also distinguishes these zebras from the other two species. The idea that they are black animals with white stripes makes sense since the patterns are a result of pigment inhibition (white) and activation (black). The furs on a zebra are black in color and areas with white patches have a small amount of pigmentation.

Do All Zebra Species Have the Same Color Pattern? Explore surprising theories about why zebras have stripes from deterring flies to confusing predators and even regulating body heat.