Zebra Stripes through the Eyes of Their Predators, Zebras, and Humans

PloS One
Amanda D MelinTim Caro

Abstract

The century-old idea that stripes make zebras cryptic to large carnivores has never been examined systematically. We evaluated this hypothesis by passing digital images of zebras through species-specific spatial and colour filters to simulate their appearance for the visual systems of zebras' primary predators and zebras themselves. We also measured stripe widths and luminance contrast to estimate the maximum distances from which lions, spotted hyaenas, and zebras can resolve stripes. We found that beyond ca. 50 m (daylight) and 30 m (twilight) zebra stripes are difficult for the estimated visual systems of large carnivores to resolve, but not humans. On moonless nights, stripes are difficult for all species to resolve beyond ca. 9 m. In open treeless habitats where zebras spend most time, zebras are as clearly identified by the lion visual system as are similar-sized ungulates, suggesting that stripes cannot confer crypsis by disrupting the zebra's outline. Stripes confer a minor advantage over solid pelage in masking body shape in woodlands, but the effect is stronger for humans than for predators. Zebras appear to be less able than humans to resolve stripes although they are better than their chief predators. In conclusion, ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 4, 2019·PloS One·Tomoki KojimaKatsutoshi Kino
Aug 20, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Martin J HowTim Caro
Sep 27, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Igor KhorozyanMatthias Waltert
Feb 26, 2019·Royal Society Open Science·Gábor HorváthGyörgy Kriska
Jun 21, 2018·Scientific Reports·Gábor HorváthSusanne Åkesson
Apr 23, 2020·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Florian J WeiseMatt W Hayward

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