ZEBRA* 

Our fingerprints are unique, that is, everyone has different fingerprints. Zebras’ coats are like** fingerprints; they are unique. Each zebra has a coat with different stripes.

Scientists have theories about why zebras have coats with stripes.*** They say these stripes provide camouflage. Zebras live and walk in groups. When a lion or another predator intends to hunt a zebra, they must choose a single zebra from a group of zebras. In this way, they can concentrate their efforts on one zebra. Otherwise they can get confused and fail to hunt. Because zebras look like each other, it is difficult for predators to choose one****. So, zebras’ stripes confuse their enemies. Another theory about stripes is that zebras recognize each other as each one has a unique coat.

Like lions, zebras live in families. Each zebra family has one male, several females, and their young. These families come together with other families and form big groups with thousands of zebras. Such big groups are good against predators.

Zebras’ greatest enemies are lions and hyenas. Living in big groups helps zebras against lion or hyena attacks. A zebra is weaker than a lion; but a lion is weaker than a group of zebras. When a lion attacks a zebra, other zebras attack the lion and try to protect themselves together. When a lion wounds a zebra, other zebras circle the wounded zebra and defend it.

Zebras have an average lifespan of 25 years. In other words, an average zebra lives about 25 years.