Zebras Are Actually Black With White Stripes

Zebras, with their visually striking appearance, are a classic example of our eyes playing tricks on us. You may assume zebras are white with black stripes, but the opposite is correct: These savanna-dwelling grazers have black skin coated in an alternating pattern of white- and black-striped fur.

A zebra’s fur color is determined by its melanocyte cells, aka pigment-generating cells present in all creatures. In a zebra’s case, the melanin in those cells is responsible for its black stripes, while its white stripes are caused by the absence of pigment in those parts. As for why zebras have stripes, there are several competing theories. Some believe they’re mainly for camouflage, while others argue they’re primarily for thermoregulation.