Let's talk about animal stripes!
[Have students discuss things that are striped - things in the room or things in general.]
In the video below, explore footage of Zebra, Nyala, Bongo, Kudu and Springbok species.
Students may discuss how the animals use their stripes for camouflage:
Zebras are able to use their stripes as they 'swarm' to create confusion for predators.
The Kudu in the video were harder to see as they escaped through the trees, which had branches that were hard to differentiate from their stripes.
The Springbok's horizontal stripe makes it blend into the horizon.
Students may discuss the species' stripes and how they compare:
Every Zebra's striping pattern is unique, just like human fingerprints.
The Nyala, Bongo and Kudu all have primarily vertical striping patterns.
The Springbok has one horizontal dark stripe down its side.
Click here to download a worksheet to accompany your stripes video/discussion.
Click here to download a worksheet key.
