Sunday, April 12, 2009

Zebra Stripes in Design: a Camouflage or a Bold Statement?

By Joan Slownik

Of all the classic animal prints, zebra is one of the favorites. It brings to mind not only casual chic of African safaris, but also something different altogether: glamour, opulence, and style.

Bold and attention-grabbing, zebra print can add zest to any look. The black and white combination is timeless and is always present in fashion design, home decor, and other items. When clothes with zebra prints are worn by a woman (or a man), they make a bold statement of personality and style.

With this in mind, it is difficult to imagine that in nature, zebra pattern is intended as a camouflage, helping zebras to blend in with their surroundings.

But how do zebra's stripes act as camouflage?

Zebra's black and white patterns are some of the most mysterious features of the natural world. Stripes are unique like fingerprints: Every zebra has a slightly different arrangement so, for example, a zebra mare and her foal can keep track of each other in the large herd. Stripes are believed to be an adaptation that prevents zebras from being seen by predators such as lions or hyenas.

One may think that such conspicuous patterns would make them easy prey. However, it is not so. Scientists believe stripes offer zebras protection by acting as a camouflage. That's because the zebra's main predator - the lion - is colorblind. So, it doesn't matter that the zebra's stripes are black and white and the lines of the grass and bushes are green, yellow, or brown. In this case the pattern of stripes is much more important than colors. The wavy lines of a zebra blend in with the surroundings, so if a zebra is standing still, it is practically invisible to the lion.

Also, when all the zebras keep together, the pattern of each zebra's stripes blends in with the stripes of the zebras around it. This confuses the lion, who sees a large, moving, striped mass instead of many individual zebras. It is difficult for him to target any one zebra, or even recognize which way each zebra is moving.

Using Zebra Print In Design

Zebra stripes when used in fashion or home decor definitely will not blend in with their surroundings! Animal prints stand out and call our attention. Wild, exotic, and sophisticated at the same time - they're full of energy and personality.

Animal print clothing and home design accessories is a trend that is steadily growing. It now includes other animal skins, for example, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, tiger, ocelot, giraffe and cow. Another way that this trend is gaining momentum is that more and more accessories have animal print textures.

You can choose anything from coats, jackets, blouses, swimsuits, handbags, jewellery, scarves, shoes, slippers, rugs, bedding, sheets, comforters, pillows, upholstery, lamps, stuffed toys, posters, and other items.

When looking to add animal print to your room decor, clothing or accessories consider what the print does visually, and make sure it fits the message you're trying to get across. Zebra print and other animal textures can make a bold statement and draw attention. Just be sure you want that attention! - 20762

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