The big Zebra question ..

[Lord Flasheart]

A fellow workmate has just been on another site, obviously read something which put this thought in his head. Anyway he turns round, looks me in square in the eye and says ..

"Why have zebras never been domesticated ??"

Got me thinking though. I mean they look like a horse, act like a horse and in my personal opinion are easier on the eye. Plus for the female horse riders there is the option that black and white goes with everything doesnt it ??, horse riding clothing could be brought right up to date and into the realm of fashion for you.

Ok there is the downside that they blend in with the crossings of the same name and there is a potential risk of collision with the less optically able drivers but I cant see any other problems really.

And yes it is a slow day in the office .. anyway he wont let up about it and I am worried he is about to be disembowelled with a stapler by one of our shorter tempered workmates.

Please Help.

[ciderally]

hello and welcome to org....as for Zebra's.....good post but i will pass on that ...

[Thumper]

Probably because they are quite small(I think) and possibly because the brown saddle would clash with their coats ;) x

[porshiepoo]

LOL.

Zebras aren't domesticated because of their unpredictable nature.
There have been cases where a Zebra has been tamed but that's a far cry from Domestication. I think there is a criteria for domestication but I haven't a clue what it is, I just know that a Zebra doesn't fit in it.
I read once also that Zebras don't have the same resistance to disease as a horse and are more susceptible to domesticated equine diseases. Not 100% sure that's true though!
They have been hybridized apparantly, with some success - a Zebra cross Donkey (a Zonkey :eek:) and a Zebra cross Horse (Zorse:confused) Such imaginative names lol.

[erli]

Are Zebras Black with White stripes or White with Black stripes?

[scorrie]

Are Zebras Black with White stripes or White with Black stripes?

I think I recall a nature program that said they were technically black with white stripes in areas where pigmentation was absent. If not correct, blame David Attenborough or somebody.

[porshiepoo]

I think I recall a nature program that said they were technically black with white stripes in areas where pigmentation was absent. If not correct, blame David Attenborough or somebody.

That's correct! I heard that too.

[scorrie]

Apparently, Zebras do not have withers and it is very difficult to fit a saddle on them. That didn't seem to bother Hollywood though. There was a movie made about a Zebra racehorse:-

http://www.blackfilm.com/20041022/features/fs_racingstripes.shtml

If you look closely at the young female jockey, you will see that if she falls off and loses a leg, another one will simply grow in its place. Save that Cheerleader!!

[Kevin Milkins]

I dont think it will take off with the ladies.
Does it make my backside look big sat on these stripes

[joxville]

Found this on wikipaedia:

Zebras are black or dark animals with white stripes and their bellies have a large white blotch for camouflage purposes.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra#cite_note-1) Some zebras have brown "shadow stripes" in between the white and black coloring.
It is believed that zebras have a dark background for the following three reasons: (1) white equids would not survive well in the African plains or forests; (2) The quagga, an extinct Plains zebra subspecies, had the zebra striping pattern in the front of the animal, but had a dark rump; (3) when the region between the pigmented bands becomes too wide, secondary stripes emerge, as if suppression was weakening. The fact that some zebras have pure white bellies and legs is not very strong evidence for a white background, since many animals of different colors have white or light colored bellies and legs.
The stripes are typically vertical on the head, neck, forequarters, and main body, with horizontal stripes at the rear and on the legs of the animal. The "zebra crossing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_crossing)" is named after the zebra's black and white stripes.
Some zoologists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoology) believe that the stripes act as a camouflage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camouflage) mechanism. This is accomplished in several ways. First, the vertical (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical) striping helps the zebra hide in grass. While seeming absurd at first glance considering that grass is neither white nor black, it is supposed to be effective against the zebra's main predator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator), the lion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion), which is color blind (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blind). Theoretically a zebra standing still in tall grass may not be noticed at all by a lion. Additionally, since zebras are herd animals, the stripes may help to confuse predators - a number of zebras standing or moving close together may appear as one large animal, making it more difficult for the lion to pick out any single zebra to attack.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra#cite_note-2) A herd of zebras scattering to avoid a predator will also represent to that predator a confused mass of vertical stripes travelling in multiple directions making it difficult for the predator to track an individual visually as it separates from its herdmates, although biologists have never observed lions appearing confused by zebra stripes.
Stripes are also believed to play a role in sexual attractions, with slight variations of the pattern allowing the animals to distinguish between individuals.
A more recent theory, supported by experiment, posits that the disruptive colouration is also an effective means of confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsetse_fly).[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra#cite_note-3) Alternative theories include that the stripes coincide with fat patterning beneath the skin, serving as a thermoregulatory mechanism for the zebra, and that wounds sustained disrupt the striping pattern to clearly indicate the fitness of the animal to potential mates.

[Lord Flasheart]

Are Zebras Black with White stripes or White with Black stripes?

Thank you Erli, and also to Porshiepoo.

I just fired that one back at him and it seems he doesnt like a dose of his own medicine !!, apparently I am the one thats pedantic. Im not pedantic, Im a Capricorn. He has quickly learnt not to upset the daily male ritual of talking about football, women, football, whether Marge Simpson is too good for Homer, women, rugby, and where we are going to have a beer after work.

To teach him a lesson I have nicked his mobile and changed the language to Bosnian or something, right now I am keeping my head down as I know retribution is inbound.

The current topic in the office is why Superman wears his Y fronts on top of his tights. The Boss is still reeling from the zebra question and is hiding in the office in case we ask him something else.

EDIT : Thanks Joxville, I have cut and pasted that and am having one of the admin girls send it to him every 10 minutes .. that'll teach him.

[scorrie]

The current topic in the office is why Superman wears his Y fronts on top of his tights.

The truth is that he is a coward and does not want to let his arch enemy, The Brown Goblin, leave behind his trademark calling card ;)

[Lord Flasheart]

The truth is that he is a coward and does not want to let his arch enemy, The Brown Goblin, leave behind his trademark calling card ;)

*Gasp*

Superman .. A coward ?? .. :eek: .. bit of a cross dresser maybe but thats a bit harsh !!

Although that Brown Goblin is truly a mighty foe isnt he ??

[George Brims]

I read in "Guns, Germs & Steel" by Jared Diamond (a great book), that zebras can't be domesticated because they are too mean and nasty. They are the biggest cause of injury to zookeepers in the US every year. Their method of attack is to bite you and not let go, then kick the living daylights out of you with their front hooves. I once met a Shetland pony that used to do that.

[Lord Flasheart]

I read in "Guns, Germs & Steel" by Jared Diamond (a great book), that zebras can't be domesticated because they are too mean and nasty. They are the biggest cause of injury to zookeepers in the US every year. Their method of attack is to bite you and not let go, then kick the living daylights out of you with their front hooves. I once met a Shetland pony that used to do that.

Thanks George,

Did a bit of surfing and came up with the same gen, you wouldnt think it to look at them as they look quite placid.

The more I find out about them the more unpleaseant they seem. And why arent they in the Arctic with that colouring ?, the poor devils must be total lion magnets. Can you imagine the lion picking his targets .. "Erm no he blends in , so does he .. tell you what lets go for the four legged snowball" .. no wonder they are so bad tempered.

[George Brims]

I think the idea of the stripes is that when a predator tries to grab one among a herd, and they are all dashing about in all directions, it becomes very visually confusing for the predator. Various fish are striped for the same reason.

[Metalattakk]

I disagree, George.

The stripes serve to create the illusion of a vast ever-moving whole, when in a herd. The observing predator thus finds it extremely difficult to pick a single target.

Once that ever-moving, undulating stripey whole is broken up, then a target is fairly easy to find.

You're right though, various fish are striped for the very reason I've just
outlined. Safety in numbers and all that.

[Moi x]

Let's do the experiment. Let's stick George and Metalattakk in the middle of a herd of zebra and they can tell us who's right.

The Org could pay for their trip. Are fundraising threads allowed on the Org?

Moi x

[Lord Flasheart]

Let's do the experiment. Let's stick George and Metalattakk in the middle of a herd of zebra and they can tell us who's right.

The Org could pay for their trip. Are fundraising threads allowed on the Org?

Moi x

David Attenbrough to commentate ??

I can picture it now as they await the contest, one takes off his boots and puts on some Nike running shoes.

"You'll never outrun a Lion in them" .. :roll:

"I know, but as long as I outrun you I'll be fine" .. :lol:

Thanks for all the info here by the way, you learn something new every day.

[cazmanian_minx]

Knew I'd seen it somewhere:

http://www.messybeast.com/history/working.htm

Pictures of zebras being ridden and driven in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

[Lord Flasheart]

Knew I'd seen it somewhere:

http://www.messybeast.com/history/working.htm

Pictures of zebras being ridden and driven in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

Thanks for the info CM,

My annoying workmates face is being photoshopped onto the first pic of the guy on the zebra and my bosses onto the guy taking the ostrich for a gallop.

[Metalattakk]

Let's do the experiment. Let's stick George and Metalattakk in the middle of a herd of zebra and they can tell us who's right.

The Org could pay for their trip. Are fundraising threads allowed on the Org?

Moi x


David Attenbrough to commentate ??

I can picture it now as they await the contest, one takes off his boots and puts on some Nike running shoes.

"You'll never outrun a Lion in them" ..

"I know, but as long as I outrun you I'll be fine" ..

Thanks for all the info here by the way, you learn something new every day.

I'd prefer a tin of white paint and a tin of black paint, then I could blend in with the crowd.

Although as my painting skills are disastrous to say the least, I'd probably end up looking like this:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z55/Metalattakk/spotted-cow.jpg


How could a lion tell the difference? :lol:

[helenwyler]

ZEBRA COSTUME

http://www.costumesgalore.net/costume_pictures/animals/zebra_costume.jpg

There you go boys, you might stand a running chance in this.....good luck ;)
Adult Zebra Costume

[Lord Flasheart]

ZEBRA COSTUME

http://www.costumesgalore.net/costume_pictures/animals/zebra_costume.jpg

There you go boys, you might stand a running chance in this.....good luck ;)
Adult Zebra Costume


Well thats me sorted for the next for the office fancy dress party !!

Now if I can just get that foxy maiden from HR to dress as a Lion .. ;)

[Moi x]

Sorry to disappoint you but I'm more of a tiger than a lion. I have a thing about stripes. ;)

Moi x

[Lord Flasheart]

At least we would match.

Nothing like the thrill of the chase .. ;)

[Moi x]

Yes, and I hope you realise you are the prey! :D

Moi x

[Sapphire2803]

Ya gotta love this thread :D

Knowing the .org I should probably follow that statement with a disclaimer... My opinion and all that, but I can't be bothered. So disagree with me at will, I'm off to buy a monkey costume and see if I can join the fun. :lol: