Zebras' bold stripes protect the animals by masking their movements, according to a study.
The conspicuous colours do not blend in to the background and scientists have theorised they developed to dazzle predators.
Using computer models, researchers confirmed the markings create optical illusions when the animals move.
They suggest this confusion helps to protect the animals from both big cats and tiny insects.
The research, conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, is published in the journal Zoology.
"Zebra stripes have long confused evolutionary biologists, right back to Darwin and Wallace," said lead author Dr Martin How.
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