Zebra Stripes and Design
by Owen Borville
July 13, 2020
Biology
Zebra stripes proclaim the creative design of an Intelligent Designer.
Zebras are single-hoofed mammals native to the grasslands of southeastern Africa and are classified in the same family with horses and donkeys, the Equidae family and the genus Equus. The most unique feature of the zebra is its black and white striped body color, along with its mane that differs from horses and donkeys as the hair stands up stiffly on the back of the neck. Zebras can be bred with horses and donkeys, creating a zedonk with a zebra and donkey, while a zorse is a cross between a zebra and horse. Offspring of all crossovers are sterile, as zebras, horses and donkeys have different numbers of chromosomes, making each one a unique creation.
Underneath the striped fur-coat of a zebra is black skin.
Every Zebra is Unique
Every zebra has a unique set of stripes that can be used to identify each zebra and no two zebras have the same stripe pattern. The unique stripe patterns can even be used like a barcode to identify an individual zebra and keep track of them among a herd. Early efforts to identify zebras using the stripes by simple photography were difficult, but in recent years, special software has been used to scan images of zebra stripes like barcodes to identify individuals and even identify changes in posture and weight.
Scientists have debated the function and origin of the zebra stripes for many years. The function of the stripes has been described with many explanations, including as camouflage from predators such as lions. Zebras are also believed to use their stripes to communicate with other zebras. The stripes are also believed to function as a cooling system in the hot African climate, as the dark stripes absorb sunlight and the light stripes reflect sunlight. In addition, the stripes are believed to be avoided by disease-causing biting flies on their body, and this explanation seems to be the most accepted explanation among biologists today. However, the effectiveness of the stripes against the flies is still being debated. Even if the stripes do in fact keep the flies away, this would not explain the origin of the stripes.
Scientists point to the lack of wild horses in Africa, who have been affected by disease, while zebras seem to be immune to these diseases. However, donkeys also seem to be unaffected by these diseases as their numbers have risen in recent years, and donkeys do not have the stripes.
Regardless of intended function, the origin of the stripes can only be explained as part of a unique creation and design, installed in the genetic code of zebra DNA. Zebras are a unique design and their stripes likely have a function, even if we do not know what the function is. Evolutionist explanations of the zebra stripe origin are difficult, as the striped zebras would get eaten up just as much as solid colored or non-striped zebra ancestors. Zebras are commonly eaten by big cats and the stripes do not stop this from occurring.
Zebra stripes are a unique and creative design created by an Intelligent Designer.
by Owen Borville
July 13, 2020
Biology
Zebra stripes proclaim the creative design of an Intelligent Designer.
Zebras are single-hoofed mammals native to the grasslands of southeastern Africa and are classified in the same family with horses and donkeys, the Equidae family and the genus Equus. The most unique feature of the zebra is its black and white striped body color, along with its mane that differs from horses and donkeys as the hair stands up stiffly on the back of the neck. Zebras can be bred with horses and donkeys, creating a zedonk with a zebra and donkey, while a zorse is a cross between a zebra and horse. Offspring of all crossovers are sterile, as zebras, horses and donkeys have different numbers of chromosomes, making each one a unique creation.
Underneath the striped fur-coat of a zebra is black skin.
Every Zebra is Unique
Every zebra has a unique set of stripes that can be used to identify each zebra and no two zebras have the same stripe pattern. The unique stripe patterns can even be used like a barcode to identify an individual zebra and keep track of them among a herd. Early efforts to identify zebras using the stripes by simple photography were difficult, but in recent years, special software has been used to scan images of zebra stripes like barcodes to identify individuals and even identify changes in posture and weight.
Scientists have debated the function and origin of the zebra stripes for many years. The function of the stripes has been described with many explanations, including as camouflage from predators such as lions. Zebras are also believed to use their stripes to communicate with other zebras. The stripes are also believed to function as a cooling system in the hot African climate, as the dark stripes absorb sunlight and the light stripes reflect sunlight. In addition, the stripes are believed to be avoided by disease-causing biting flies on their body, and this explanation seems to be the most accepted explanation among biologists today. However, the effectiveness of the stripes against the flies is still being debated. Even if the stripes do in fact keep the flies away, this would not explain the origin of the stripes.
Scientists point to the lack of wild horses in Africa, who have been affected by disease, while zebras seem to be immune to these diseases. However, donkeys also seem to be unaffected by these diseases as their numbers have risen in recent years, and donkeys do not have the stripes.
Regardless of intended function, the origin of the stripes can only be explained as part of a unique creation and design, installed in the genetic code of zebra DNA. Zebras are a unique design and their stripes likely have a function, even if we do not know what the function is. Evolutionist explanations of the zebra stripe origin are difficult, as the striped zebras would get eaten up just as much as solid colored or non-striped zebra ancestors. Zebras are commonly eaten by big cats and the stripes do not stop this from occurring.
Zebra stripes are a unique and creative design created by an Intelligent Designer.
