joe wants to know why does every black and white stripes well there's no black and white answer. but they're extraordinary two tone coats they make quite a fashion statement although out in the wilderness that can be a problem. other animals might be more colorful fish for example or certain birds. most mammals are more understated. all the spectacular exceptional. one theory is that their distinctive stripes protect them from predators from afar the pattern breaks up their outlines so they're harder to make out. but the more likely theory is that their coats repel bloodsucking insects because the pattern scrambles their vision.