A Dazzle of Zebras
- Thread starter Meanderer
- Start date
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
sunset reflected in a zebra's eye
The Mystery of Why Zebras Have Their Stripes Has Baffled Scientists – Now a Dazzling Answer
"Stripes acting to confuse predators is another common explanation, but it too is flawed when looking at the scientific data. Instead, mounting evidence suggests that it is parasitic flies that are confounded by the zebra’s distinctive patterning."
"Previously, the same researchers had shown that blood-sucking horseflies would approach horses in striped rugs as often as plain rugs, but then failed to land or slow down when they got close."
"Lead author Dr. Martin How, also from Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “The aperture effect is a well-known optical illusion that, in human vision, is also known as the barber-pole effect. Moving stripes, such as those on the rotating barber-pole signs outside barbershops, appear to move at right angles to the stripe, rather than in their true direction, so the pole appears to move upwards, rather than around its axle."
“As any fly approaches a landing surface, it will adjust its speed according to how quickly the surface expands across its vision, enabling a slowed and controlled landing."
“Stripes however could disrupt this ‘optic flow’ through the aperture effect, leading the fly to believe the landing surface is further away than reality. Thus, the fly fails to slow down or land successfully.”
"Stripes acting to confuse predators is another common explanation, but it too is flawed when looking at the scientific data. Instead, mounting evidence suggests that it is parasitic flies that are confounded by the zebra’s distinctive patterning."
"Previously, the same researchers had shown that blood-sucking horseflies would approach horses in striped rugs as often as plain rugs, but then failed to land or slow down when they got close."
“As any fly approaches a landing surface, it will adjust its speed according to how quickly the surface expands across its vision, enabling a slowed and controlled landing."
“Stripes however could disrupt this ‘optic flow’ through the aperture effect, leading the fly to believe the landing surface is further away than reality. Thus, the fly fails to slow down or land successfully.”
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Amazing!The Mystery of Why Zebras Have Their Stripes Has Baffled Scientists – Now a Dazzling Answer
"Stripes acting to confuse predators is another common explanation, but it too is flawed when looking at the scientific data. Instead, mounting evidence suggests that it is parasitic flies that are confounded by the zebra’s distinctive patterning."
"Previously, the same researchers had shown that blood-sucking horseflies would approach horses in striped rugs as often as plain rugs, but then failed to land or slow down when they got close."
"Lead author Dr. Martin How, also from Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “The aperture effect is a well-known optical illusion that, in human vision, is also known as the barber-pole effect. Moving stripes, such as those on the rotating barber-pole signs outside barbershops, appear to move at right angles to the stripe, rather than in their true direction, so the pole appears to move upwards, rather than around its axle."
“As any fly approaches a landing surface, it will adjust its speed according to how quickly the surface expands across its vision, enabling a slowed and controlled landing."
“Stripes however could disrupt this ‘optic flow’ through the aperture effect, leading the fly to believe the landing surface is further away than reality. Thus, the fly fails to slow down or land successfully.”
Paco Dennis
SF VIP
- Location
- Mid-Missouri
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_image%2Fimage%2F63505576%2Fap19051264881155.0.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
Do Zebra Really Bark?
We all know what Zebras look like....but what do they sound like?
"The awakening sound above is the bark of a zebra. Barking Zebra Tours is often asked about this bark. Yes, zebras actually do bark. In fact, they make four very notable sounds."
They not only Bark, but Bray, Nicker and Snort as well! (Audio Link)
We all know what Zebras look like....but what do they sound like?
"The awakening sound above is the bark of a zebra. Barking Zebra Tours is often asked about this bark. Yes, zebras actually do bark. In fact, they make four very notable sounds."
They not only Bark, but Bray, Nicker and Snort as well! (Audio Link)
Off to the (Zebra) Races
"We get a lot of press releases at Blood-Horse Publications. A lot. But one struck an interest for me when it touted zebra and ostrich races at a horse racetrack. Nothing says speed quite like jockeys in canvas Western saddles riding zebras in halters… Photo courtesy Fair Ground Race Course."
"We get a lot of press releases at Blood-Horse Publications. A lot. But one struck an interest for me when it touted zebra and ostrich races at a horse racetrack. Nothing says speed quite like jockeys in canvas Western saddles riding zebras in halters… Photo courtesy Fair Ground Race Course."
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Wow. The zebras barking was astonishing! Thanks, M.Off to the (Zebra) Races
"We get a lot of press releases at Blood-Horse Publications. A lot. But one struck an interest for me when it touted zebra and ostrich races at a horse racetrack. Nothing says speed quite like jockeys in canvas Western saddles riding zebras in halters… Photo courtesy Fair Ground Race Course."
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
