Beverly Joubert Instagram – Two heads are better than one …⁣ ⁣ This pair of zebras almost appear to merge into a single animal as they jostle for a spot at a drinking hole. It’s easy to see how their dazzling coats could create confusion amongst predators that are unable to pick out an individual animal. But many scientists now believe that the zebra’s stripes may have more to do with deterring biting flies than with bewildering any would-be attackers. Insects like tsetse flies and horseflies can be more than an annoyance for African mammals. These biting insects can carry dangerous diseases like sleeping sickness and equine influenza, and a zebra’s thin hair does not provide much of a barrier to getting bitten. Research indicates that flies are less likely to land on striped surfaces, suggesting that the zebra’s unique coat could be an effective deterrent.⁣ ⁣ #wildlife #nature #zebras