You'd think that the black and white stripes of the zebra would make it easy for predators to see it! The main predator of the zebra is the lion. Lions don't like to hunt in the heat of the day, they prefer sleeping in the shade. They hunt as it gets dark. As the sun goes down, the black and white stripes of the zebra help it blend into the
Zebras are herd animals that live in close-knit family groups. Within the group, zebras have a clear social hierarchy, with the dominant stallion at the top and the young foals at the bottom. The stallion is responsible for protecting the group from predators and for finding food and water. He also controls access to the females in the herd.The zebras’ keen sense of hearing helps protect these animals from predators. Zebras will form a cluster around a mother zebra and young to keep away predators such as hyenas. A stallion will attack hyenas and wild dogs if his herd is threatened. Unless hyenas hunt in large groups, their attacks on zebras are often unsuccessful. Males weigh between 836-990 pounds (380-450 kg), and females weigh between 770-880 pounds (350-400 kg). Stand about 63 inches (160 cm) at the shoulder. Grevy’s zebra have short white fur with narrow black stripes and a white underbelly. They have a tall, erect mane along the neck and back. They have large rounded ears and eyes high up on the
Some have posited that the pattern helped to protect zebras from predators such as lions or hyenas. Others suggest that through "dazzle camouflage" the zebras' stripes help to distort a predator's
Zebras primarily protect themselves with their great speed, powerful legs and large groups. Zebras are very fast animals that can run up to 35 miles per hour, and they have great stamina, which allows them to outlast predators they cannot easily outrun. Their powerful legs deliver devastating kicks, which can break a predator’s jaw.
Zebras do, however, have several strategies they use to reduce the risk of being hunted by lions and other predators. The most important thing zebras do for protection against predators is staying in groups with other zebras. When zebras are under attack, the strongest zebras form a defensive circle around the weaker zebras to protect them.Some scientists theorized zebra stripes heat and cool the air near the animal in a way that creates mini air currents. The invisible fans cool down the zebra, who researchers noted, seem un-bothered by the savannah sun. A Hungarian group of scientists looked at air flow made by white and black stripes of hair with special cameras.