Is a Zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes?

[Krystal 1,468]

Well?

[Strife 455]

Due to pigment activation, the Zebra is black with the stripes being a case of pigment inhibition, making those stripes come off as white.

[Jadefire 2,797]

Yes.

[Spring Veil 255]

Or in Zecora's case, grey with darker grey stripes.

[Starshine 16,333]

What Strife said

 

And,

It is believed that zebras are black animals with white detail for three main reasons. The first is that white equids would not be able to survive well in the plains or forests of Africa. Secondly, the extinct species of plain zebra, known as the Quagga, had the white stripes of zebras today on the front of their bodies, but a dark coloured rump. The third reason is based on the Shadow stripes. When the pigmented white band becomes to wide, a secondary stripe starts to emerge. The idea that some zebras have white under bellies and legs is not thought to be evidence of an overall light colour, since many animals of different colours have white or lighter coloured bellies and legs.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_zebras_have_stripes#ixzz1xvYHVjEJ

 

[Tuxedo Kamen! 114]

I was beaten to it. Zebra's are shades of grey. Since black and white are not real colors according to my rather unlikable art instructor

[letterone 1,204]

My brother told me a racist joke that had to do with this topic. :/

[Krystal 1,468]

My brother told me a racist joke that had to do with this topic. :/

 

I think I've herd it too

[Strife 455]

I was beaten to it. Zebra's are shades of grey. Since black and white are not real colors according to my rather unlikable art instructor

 

In the artistic world, most artists consider black and whites as shades.

 

In the scientific world, white would be the sum of all colors and black as the lack of color. Now, it is important to remember to think of this inversely. Remember that the color(s) we see an item composed of is actually the color(s) that the item is NOT composed of.

 

Example: An apple will look red because the apple absorbed the light spectrum that hit it ... except the red wavelength, which bounces off of the apple and into our eye.

 

So to rephrase, black would be the lack of all color (because the object absorbs all the light wavelengths, leaving none to hit our eye) and white would be the sum of all colors (because the objects does not absorb any wavelengths within the visible spectrum, allowing all of it to bounce back into our eyes. This is why white objects appear brighter, because you have more light energy being reflected into your eye.

[Victoria and Co. 782]

Well actually, zebras aren't necessarily constrained to only being black and white.

As a matter of fact, several species of zebras are really brown and white or black, brown, and white.

 

And that makes sense seeing as true black can only exist when minimal matter and minimal energy is present.

[Strife 455]

Well actually, zebras aren't necessarily constrained to only being black and white.

As a matter of fact, several species of zebras are really brown and white or black, brown, and white.

 

And that makes sense seeing as true black can only exist when minimal matter and minimal energy is present.

 

I am only aware of Black and White.

 

You may be mistaken with either of these:

• A zebra who has currently gotten dirty from mud
• A hybrid species, which would not make it a zebra
• Pigmentation variation, which would still result in Black/White

If there are truly "brown" zebras running around, I would quite enjoy seeing a picture of such an interesting creature.

[Starshine 16,333]

I have no idea whether this is legit or not, but yeah, zebra can be rather brown

 

But turns out it's a foal. Later its stripes will get much darker

 

A zebra foal is brown and white instead of black and white at birth.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Dreamwalker

[Typhoid Libby 1,265]

Dudes.

You need to take a break.

It's obvious that Zebras are blue and neon-pink.

Black and white, pfft, gimmie a break.

[Victoria and Co. 782]

I am only aware of Black and White.

 

You may be mistaken with either of these:

• A zebra who has currently gotten dirty from mud
• A hybrid species, which would not make it a zebra
• Pigmentation variation, which would still result in Black/White

If there are truly "brown" zebras running around, I would quite enjoy seeing a picture of such an interesting creature.

 

There aren't brown zebras as if their fur would only be the color brown, but nonetheless zebras exist with brown stripes (I know this as my uncle is a zoologist and he has told me many things about the animals he studies).

Plains zebras for example are not only born with brown and white stripes but also feature "shadow" stripes as they mature, or stripes that appear in between the defining black and white stripes.

I assure you, these "shadow" stripes are neither shadows nor dirt as they follow the same pattern as the other stripes on the zebra to a degree of extreme detail.

[Strife 455]

Dudes.

You need to take a break.

It's obvious that Zebras are blue and neon-pink.

Black and white, pfft, gimmie a break.

 

That's right, I forgot about this one:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There aren't brown zebras as if their fur would only be the color brown, but nonetheless zebras exist with brown stripes (I know this as my uncle is a zoologist and he has told me many things about the animals he studies).

Plains zebras for example are not only born with brown and white stripes but also feature "shadow" stripes as they mature, or stripes that appear in between the defining black and white stripes.

I assure you, these "shadow" stripes are neither shadows nor dirt as they follow the same pattern as the other stripes on the zebra to a degree of extreme detail.

 

That isn't brown. It's a side effect of pigment inhibition. Making that section to appear brown (especially when light reflects off of it). It's an error in the process of the brain in terms of shades and shading.

 

 

I have no idea whether this is legit or not, but yeah, zebra can be rather brown

 

But turns out it's a foal. Later its stripes will get much darker

 

That is due to pigmentation. Simple science. Most younger animals do not have full pigmentation until they mature, many species are like this (including humans).

[Victoria and Co. 782]

That isn't brown. It's a side effect of pigment inhibition. Making that section to appear brown (especially when light reflects off of it). It's an error in the process of the brain in terms of shades and shading.

 

In the plains zebra, yes it is correct, but there entire species of zebras who completely lack black pigmentation.

 

I am not pretending to be an expert, I am simply restating the words of a person who has studied zebras before (my uncle as I mentioned before) so I may not be the best advocate for brown zebras, but I assure you that the species exist.

[Strife 455]

In the plains zebra, yes it is correct, but there entire species of zebras who completely lack black pigmentation.

 

I am not pretending to be an expert, I am simply restating the words of a person who has studied zebras before (my uncle as I mentioned before) so I may not be the best advocate for brown zebras, but I assure you that the species exist.

 

There are three species, none of which contain a brown coat.

• Plains Zebra: "Like all zebras, they are boldly striped in black and white"
• Grévy's Zebra: "As with all zebra species, the Grevy's zebra's pelage has a black and white striping pattern."
• Mountain Zebra: "Like all zebras, it is boldly striped in black and white and no two individuals look exactly alike."

This is the age of the Internet ... searching and validating information isn't hard.

[Chill Mists (Chilly) 801]

I like zebras.

[roomforapony 285]

There are three species, none of which contain a brown coat.

• Plains Zebra: "Like all zebras, they are boldly striped in black and white"
• Grévy's Zebra: "As with all zebra species, the Grevy's zebra's pelage has a black and white striping pattern."
• Mountain Zebra: "Like all zebras, it is boldly striped in black and white and no two individuals look exactly alike."

This is the age of the Internet ... searching and validating information isn't hard.

 

On the Plain's Zebra article: "Southern populations also have brown "shadow" stripes between the black and white coloring.^[8][9] These are absent or poorly expressed in northern zebras.^[8][9]"

 

So yes, Vinyl Pon3 Scratch is right. Southern populations of the species have brown in them which are different from the Northern population.

[Strife 455]

On the Plain's Zebra article: "Southern populations also have brown "shadow" stripes between the black and white coloring.^[8][9] These are absent or poorly expressed in northern zebras.^[8][9]"

 

So yes, Vinyl Pon3 Scratch is right. Southern populations of the species have brown in them which are different from the Northern population.

 

Shadow stripes are not brown, so no.

[Skye Starlight 223]

There is no such thing as black hair, only an extremely dark shade of brown. Which is probably why foals are brown and white at birth...

 

In the MLP universe it seems that Zebras are light-gray with dark gray stripes. In the real world, it's very dark brown with white stripes, as pointed out above...

[roomforapony 285]

Shadow stripes are not brown, so no.

 

It specifically said brown shadow stripes. There are pictures of zebra that have brown shadow stripes. I'm just going to assume you're stubborn.

[Strife 455]

It specifically said brown shadow stripes. There are pictures of zebra that have brown shadow stripes. I'm just going to assume you're stubborn.

 

Or you have zero idea what pigmentation is.

[FedoraMemes 582]

My opinion is that is none of the above. It is a mystical colour sent from the heavens that when observed by a human, appears in a white and black striped form. However, there are some chosen who are able to see this strange colour, and have the choice to either become a Zebra, or move on into a world of true ecstasy.

 

Just my opinion.

[roomforapony 285]

Or you have zero idea what pigmentation is.

 

I know what you're saying, but the fact of the matter is that it is still brown. Brown describes the pigmentation. So wouldn't this make us both correct? Especially when quoting the same article that gives both of us evidence to back up our claims.