Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? [VIDEO]

OK, this isn't a question that keeps me up at night, but as I'm always fascinated by nature, I have wondered why zebras have stripes. When you think about it, why would any animal need stripes? This may be the answer.

According to huffingtonpost.com:

"Hypotheses have included mating rituals, protection from predators, camouflage and heat protection, though no evidence has backed up the claims. But in a paper released Tuesday in Nature Communications, researchers at University of California, Davis may have proven the reason: to protect the animal from disease-carrying biting flies."

Watch this video for more: