In September 2019, a lucky tour guide and a photographer in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve spotted something very rare. They saw a dark brown baby zebra with white polka dots instead of white stripes.
Most baby zebras are dark brown. That isn't unusual. The brown darkens to black as the zebra gets older. However, this is the first time a zebra has been seen in this part of Africa with white spots instead of white stripes.
This dotted zebra was named Tira, after the guide who first spotted her.
A wildlife scientist said that Tira has a rare skin problem that causes the spots. The scientist also added a warning. Zebras that look different from other zebras often don’t survive too long. Because they don't blend in, they stand out and become an easy target for other animals.
Zebras' white stripes protect them in other ways. They help the animals stay cool in hot weather and they keep away many of the dangerous biting insects.
A group of zebras is called a "zeal" or a "dazzle". The zebras in Tira's zeal are very accepting of her, even though she looks so different.
Tira was spotted again in late 2022. That's a good sign that her "zeal" is doing a good job protecting her.
Source: worksheetsplus.com/Reading/SpottedZebra.html Spotted! A Spotted Zebra
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