Burchell's Zebra - Life in Color

A herd of Burchell's Zebra visit a watering hole in Etosha National Park.

The iconic zebra patterns are there to confuse predators. In between the black and white stripes, one can sometimes make out a third, brown stripe. This is referred to as the "Shadow Stripe". Shadow stripes are mostly seen on the Burhcell's, and not so much on other sub-species such as the Mountain Zebra. As many know, each zebra has a unique pattern of such stripes.

I like this shot as it shows both horizontal and parallel stripes. And the fact that life is endured through the most precious of natural resources ... Water. Water is critical in the survival of nearly all species on earth, including the obvious, man himself.

Watering holes are thus very social hot-spots within any area. This is where it all comes together. In the case of zebra, one herd at a time will come to drink. While one herd is drinking, other "new comer" herds will patiently stand in the back and wait their turn. This is called instinct. Without having been told so by anyone, the zebra instinctively know to wait their turn. Stallions and mares might get into a huge fight if all came out once.