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Black Zebra
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Guy Castley (Greenie)
![Silver Note Writer [C: 3 W: 2 N: 16]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif) (68) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2003-02-05 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC S90 |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/500 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-03-05 10:20 |
| Viewed: 1128 |
| Points: 8 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is not technically the best shot in the book as there were a number of factors working against me on the day, not the least of which was a bad shutter lag on the cybershot, a moving aircraft and overcast conditions. Nonetheless since the site is about more than just perfect photos aiming to teach us all a bit more about nature I felt that this shot was still worthwhile to include.
The species is the plains zebra, Equus burchellii, taken in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the highland grasslands of South Africa. The population of about 700 zebra in this relatively small park (about 22000ha)is quite high.
Zebra are generally considered to be white with black stripes and four of the animals in this shot fit this "normal" pattern. However the fifth animal's pelage (coat) is clearly "black" by comparison.
Colour variations are actually quite common in animals and could respond to local changes in plant nutrients, etc. (in South Africa many antelope with brown pelage often range from light rufous forms to dark browns - e.g. steenbok, kudu - depending on the region where they are seen). Two colour variations at the extreme ends of the scale are melanism and albinism. There are essentially a measure of the amount of melanin (pigment) in the skin. Melanistic forms of animals commonly have an excessive amount of melanin which results in completely black forms (as is often seen in black panthers) while albinos have a lack of melanin giving the animals a white appearance.
So what then is the case with this zebra? Well there is another condition referred to as pseudo-melanism or Abundism. This form of darker pigmentation is commonly seen in patterned coats where the number or size of darkly pigmented areas increases. So although there is an increase in the amount of dark pigment the white stripes are still visible.
I'm a bit disappointed that I couldn't get a better shot of the animal but maybe I'll be able to get back there at some stage.
Cheers
Guy |
manyee has marked this note useful
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very interesting fact here! I have never seen a zebra that dark! thanks a lot for sharing the pic. you are absolutely correct, technical perfection is not important when you want to share an interesting/unique subject matter.
- demeve
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 515 W: 8 N: 1134]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(4174) - [2007-03-05 20:06]
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I agree with you Guy, sometimes beauty doesn't matter, what matters is the capture, the moment, the uniqueness of the photo and the story behind it... great work..thanks for sharing
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- manyee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3100 W: 234 N: 5929]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(20008) - [2007-03-06 1:10]
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Hi Guy,
I am really glad you posted this shot. I love a perfect photo as much as the next person, but an interesting capture like this one is definitely not to be missed.
I actually think it is a great shot. Great POV of this pack of running zebras. That dark zebra is just fascinating. I have never seen or heard of a "black" zebra before. How exciting it must have been for you to spot such an oddity. Great notes.
Thanks for sharing this unusual phenomenon with us.
ManYee
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- Nilson
(2268)
- [2007-03-10 13:36]
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Uma bela foto destas zebras,com cores firmes ao meu gosto, etá de parabens.
Nilson
