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WILDLIFE SERIES

Africa’s Wild Horse —The Zebra

The Stripes Hold the Secret!

Damilola Ehinmitan
The Scriber’s Nook
4 min readDec 22, 2024

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Credit: Shutterstock

Across the vast African plains, a herd of zebras gallop with power and grace. Their muscular bodies ripple beneath their iconic black-and-white stripes, their hooves pounding against the dusty earth as a cloud of dust swirls in their wake. These stripes are their signature, but what do they mean?

Credit: Shutterstock

As if by instinct, the herd slows its pace and begins to graze. Their sharp eyes scan the horizon while their ears twitch at every sound. The black-and-white stripes, more than just a striking pattern, play an essential role in their lives. Scientists believe the stripes help confuse predators, disrupt biting insects, or even regulate body temperature, making the zebra a marvel of evolution.

When the sun’s heat intensifies, the herd moves toward water. On the riverbank, their stripes shimmer in the light, creating an almost hypnotic effect. Some researchers suggest this dazzle may confuse biting flies, giving zebras a survival edge over other plain-dwelling animals.

Striped and Social

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The Scriber’s Nook
The Scriber’s Nook

Published in The Scriber’s Nook

The Scriber’s Nook is Medium’s alcove for imagination and creativity. Our contributors showcase their talents via fiction, memoirs, and more. Storytellers and poets, this is your Nook! 💜

Damilola Ehinmitan
Damilola Ehinmitan

Written by Damilola Ehinmitan

🐍 Wildlife Writer | Animal Behavior Enthusiast 🌍 Sharing stories about nature’s most intriguing creatures with insights into their habitats. #AnimalLovers

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