The remarkable reason zebras have stripes - Cella Wright episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 1, 2026 · 7 MIN

The remarkable reason zebras have stripes - Cella Wright

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Dig into the scientific theories of why zebras have stripes, and why this unique patterning sets them apart from their equine relatives.--Zebras belong to the same equine family as horses and donkeys. After their lineage entered Africa, they evolved into three zebra species, lived in social herds, grazed on grasses, and evaded fierce predators. One mystery that has perplexed prominent scientists for decades is the matter of their coats: why are they striped? Cella Wright digs into the common theories about the unique patterning.Lesson by Cella Wright, directed by Sharon Colman.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-surprising-reason-zebras-have-stripes-cella-wrightDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-surprising-reason-zebras-have-stripes-cella-wright/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.sharoncolman.com----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, David D, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Denis Chon, Julian Oberhofer, Monte Carroll, Eddy, Jay M, Constantino Victor Delgado, Andrea Galvagni, Andrew Tweddle, Laurel-Ann Rice, Fernando A. Endo, Helen Lee, pam morgan, sarim haq, Gerardo Castro, Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O and Weronika Falkowska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dig into the scientific theories of why zebras have stripes, and why this unique patterning sets them apart from their equine relatives.--Zebras belong to the same equine family as horses and donkeys. After their lineage entered Africa, they evolved into three zebra species, lived in social herds, grazed on grasses, and evaded fierce predators. One mystery that has perplexed prominent scientists for decades is the matter of their coats: why are they striped? Cella Wright digs into the common theories about the unique patterning.Lesson by Cella Wright, directed by Sharon Colman.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-surprising-reason-zebras-have-stripes-cella-wrightDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-surprising-reason-zebras-have-stripes-cella-wright/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.sharoncolman.com----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, David D, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Denis Chon, Julian Oberhofer, Monte Carroll, Eddy, Jay M, Constantino Victor Delgado, Andrea Galvagni, Andrew Tweddle, Laurel-Ann Rice, Fernando A. Endo, Helen Lee, pam morgan, sarim haq, Gerardo Castro, Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O and Weronika Falkowska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The remarkable reason zebras have stripes - Cella Wright

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This episode was published on June 1, 2026.

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Dig into the scientific theories of why zebras have stripes, and why this unique patterning sets them apart from their equine relatives.--Zebras belong to the same equine family as horses and donkeys. After their lineage entered Africa, they evolved...

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