The fact that zebra is white black stripes or black stripe white?

Zebras are a very special breed, often living in the prairie and African deserts. Unlike their brothers, the zebra has a black and white coat, arranged in stripes from head to toe . Until now, scientists have only learned a part of this particular color of zebra. However, many people wonder that, in fact, zebra is white black stripe or black stripe white?

First, this particular color of zebra has a great effect to help them survive in extreme conditions in Africa. Alternating black and white colors help them reduce up to 70% of the sun's heat absorbed into the body. The layout of stripes on the zebra body is also very unique, it creates individual signs for each zebra like human fingerprints. As for zebras, they are stripes on the shoulders or neck, helping them to identify members in the herd.

Contrary to popular beliefs, zebra colors can attract other predators such as lions or hyenas. However, in fact, these black and white stripes help zebra distract these species. When standing zebras gather together, scientists believe that with large numbers of black and white stripes, other carnivores can be fooled. Like an optical illusion, making 10 zebras stand close to each other looks like a giant block. Fooling predators and making them dare not approach.

Thus, we can see that the black and white stripes of zebras work very well, helping them survive in harsh conditions and before predators. But the fact is that zebra is white black stripes or black stripe white? If we rely solely on observations with our eyes, it is very difficult to answer this, because the black and white stripes are evenly distributed throughout their entire body.

To answer this question, we must learn more about the pigment cells under their skin . Subcutaneous melanocyte cells play a role in producing pigment pigments. For zebras, too, these melanocyte cells determine their color . Based on the analysis of these pigment cells during the embryonic stage of zebra, scientists were able to find the answer.

Lisa Smith is a large mammal researcher at Atlanta Zoo who conducted her research on zebras. In this study, Lisa discovered that the black color of zebras is the result of pigment activation by melanocyte cells , while white is the result of pigmentation inhibition . It also means that black is the main color of the zebra , while white stripes are the result of inhibiting melanocyte cells, making them unable to produce black and therefore white stripes.