What do zebras eat, and what are the functions of their tails and stripes?

The zebra is a fairly common perissodactyl animal in Africa, familiar to people because of the dense black stripes covering its body. Different species of zebra have different characteristics, but their digestive systems are relatively strong. Let us take a look below at what do zebras generally eat? What are the functions of their tails and stripes?

1. What do zebras generally eat?

Zebras are herbivorous animals. Besides eating grass, shrubs, leaves, bark and twigs are all food for them, which is also why zebras have relatively strong digestive systems, because these are hard-to-digest foods. Zebras can also move about in mixed groups with other herbivores such as ostriches, giraffes and antelopes, not only living together but also sharing food. They also exchange information to avoid attacks from powerful predators.

2. What are the functions of a zebra's tail and stripes?

1. What is the function of a zebra's tail?

The upper end of a zebra's rear is the tail, and the lower end of the tail is the tail hair. The color on the tail is the same as the zebra's coat, that is, black-and-white alternating stripes, while the tail hair is black. So what is the function of the tail?

A zebra's tail is a great helper for driving away mosquitoes and insects. On the African savanna, mosquitoes and insects plague all kinds of mammals, and the zebra is one of the animals affected. The harm caused by these insects is very serious: there are mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites and horse flies that spread rinderpest. A zebra's tail can drive these insects away very well, because they constantly swish their tails vigorously.

In addition, a zebra's long tail can also help keep its body balanced when it runs or walks.

2. What is the function of a zebra's stripes?

First, a zebra's stripes are actually a kind of protective coloration that serves to protect it. In open deserts or grasslands it is very easy to expose oneself and become food for some fierce beasts. So under the illumination of light, a zebra's stripes easily blur or break up the outline of its body. At a glance, a running zebra looks much like its surroundings, making one dazzled. Especially in the eyes of a leopard or lion, whose eyes are already very white, this keeps it from exposing itself and lets it escape their pursuit very well.

Second, research shows that a zebra's stripes can also help prevent mosquito and insect bites, dispersing the attention of mosquitoes and flies, and reducing their bites and the spread of disease.

Third, a new study has now found that the stripes can also effectively help zebras control their body temperature, and it even displays a previously unknown mechanism for maintaining body temperature, which is very remarkable.

The above is an introduction to what zebras eat and the functions of zebra tails and stripes. We hope it is of some help to you.