Competing theories

Markings for better life

1 Animal attraction

The stripes make them more appealing to mates as something about the coats themselves are attractive to potential mates.

2 Camouflage

They help zebras blend into their background, particularly at night when they are watering.

3 Razzle dazzle

The stripes visually confuses predators. Hungry carnivores such as lions struggle to judge the distance to their prey thanks to the stripes.

4 Bug off

They keep away the flies. Research has indicated that flies, including blood-sucking disease carriers, are more attracted to solid surfaces than those with variations in colour. The thinner the stripes, the more off-putting to the flies.

5 Pattern politics

Each animal has a distinct pattern that makes it identifiable to others, helping herd survival.