Page 34 - The World of Animals
P. 34
HORSES IN
STRIPES: ZEBRAS
Zebras at first sight remind us of
horses. As in the case of horses, zebras,
too, have hair which we call a "mane".
Their body structures are also very
similar to horses and they run as fast as them.
Yet, their appearance is strikingly different. As you might also
suppose, this difference lies in the straight stripes that cover their bodies
from head to toe. Do not underestimate a stripe, since these stripes are
32 different in every single zebra. Just like the fingerprint, which is unique
to every person, the stripes of zebras are all different. Stripes provide
identification data for a zebra just like an ID card does for humans. The
vertical stripes of zebras are also an important element of defence.
When they come together, tigers and lions perceive the herd as a whole.
In this case, it becomes difficult for the predator to choose the
individual zebra, which becomes a protection for the zebras.
There are two essential elements necessary for zebras to survive:
water and grass.
At times, a zebra herd wanders for 50
kilometres (31 miles) to find water and grass.
But at nights they return to their own places.
That is because, as we mentioned earlier
about other animals, each herd leads its life in
a particular territory.
