Why do zebras have stripes?
Last time I went to the Hearst castle, I was admiring the zebras that were running around freely. It surprised me that the stripes actually look more black and gray rather than black and white. Anyway, why do zebras have stripes?
Like with so many other creatures in the animal kingdom, the color and design of the fur is 'designed' to protect and hide the zebra from potential predators.
First, as a herd, the zebras running together with stripes all over the place will confuse a predator and make them not be able to single out a potential victim.
Second, the stripes are suppose to blend in with the grass in their natural habitat, making it harder for predators such as the lion to notice them.
Note that most animals, such as the lion, are color blind, so the black and white does not stick out, but blends in instead. Of course, humans can see colors and the stripes do not help the Hearst castle zebras. We read a story in LA times a while ago, where Hearst Castle neighbors shoot the zebras if they wander over to their property.