Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing

Re:Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing by proee on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @09:32PM (#19214043)

Why didn't buffalo and bison evolve to have stripes? Seems they would benefit from having them.

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Re:Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing by the_af on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:17PM (#19214217)

I don't think that's how evolution works. Species don't gain traits that would benefit them. "Why didn't they?" seems like the wrong question :)

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Re:Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing by kirre245 on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:54PM (#19214394)

In the article it is mentioned that zebras have shorter hair which makes them more vulnerable to the flies. You could ask why didnt they just grow longer hair? Well probably for something else it was important to have short hair.

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Re:Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing by b_tterc_p on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @11:01PM (#19214421)

Local climate feels like a probable answer

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Re:Zebras’ stripes discourage biting flies from landing by mhb on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:01PM (#19214156)

Also the ability to run 60 MPH.

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