Animals With Stripes

Tiger

Bumblebee

The iconic stripes on a bumblebee serve as a warning to would-be predators. The bright pattern of black and yellow stripes signals to birds flying above that a bee is below with its stinger in place. If they try to eat the bee, they will experience the nasty sting that goes along with it. The stripes act as protection for both the bee and the predator. (Source)

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Image via Associated Press

Striped Marlin

The striped marlin is one of the biggest fish in the ocean. The difficult-to-catch fish has light blue and light purple stripes running down its sides. It also has the ability to change the color of its stripes when excited, typically when feeding or mating. The striped marlin also gains more stripes on its side after it dies, which is unique to this species. (Source)

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Okapi

An okapi's stripes help to camouflage the animal from predators. It appears to fade into the shadows, because the stripes look like sunlight filtering through the trees of the forest. The stripes also act as a "follow me" signal from a mother to its calf. Since they are at a calf's eye level, they allow the calf to recognize its mother. Some also believe that the stripes are attractive to mates, who sniff each other standing head to tail. (Source)

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Mackerel Tabby Cat

The Mackerel tabby cat has the only striped pattern of domestic cats, and many believe it to be the original tabby pattern. The long, thin, black stripes are on the tabby's sides and stomach. One can distinguish these cats by the "M" shapes of dark fur on their foreheads. A Mackerel tabby cat also has a "peppered nose," meaning a pink nose with black dots scattered across it. (Source)

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Chipmunk

A chipmunk's stripes camouflage the critter as it runs through the forest. The brown, black and white tones of the chipmunk's fur allow it to disappear among the trees and shrubbery that surround it. The chipmunk can then forage for food while staying hidden to any birds flying above. (Source)

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Skunk

The stripes on a skunk are an arrow pointing to its most dangerous defense. The skunk's back has two white stripes that head directly to its rear end. The skunk's infamous stink spray can hit a predator from 10 feet away. The white lines serve as a warning of what is to come if a predator comes too close. (Source)

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