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Frank
Viki
Thursday, February 17, 2005
 
Hybrid Animals
Ligers, Tigons, Jaglion, Zorse, Wolphin and other cross-breeds. I find it sort of disturbing that people feel the need to mate animals that normally wouldn't mate together for the sake of being unique - as a sort of "art"?

I do however, like looking at the "Uncommon Animal Coloration" section. As I have seen a white Alligator at the Toranto Zoo. But the white zebra of the black zebra (with white stripes) are pretty cool. Note: for those fo you who don't know, zebras are white with black stripes - that's why the distinction is interesting.
- posted by Anonymous @ 3:52 PM
Comments:
Evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould has written a ten page essay on the issue:
Is it a white animal with black stripes or a black animal with white stripes?
His conclusion is a black animal with white stripes.
For the Zebra, unlike the tiger, stripes don't serve to disguise their presence.
So why does the zebra have stripes?
One of the benefits is that the foal quickly recognizes its mother's pattern, something like a "portable, permanent signature".
A Barcode of identity.

Patrizia

http://woip.blogspot.com
http://www.worldonip.com
# posted by Blogger Baffington.post : 8:19 AM
 
Stephen Jay Gould is one of my favorite scientists. "Bully for Brontosaurus" is a fantastic collection of essays.
# posted by Blogger frank crist : 4:12 PM
 
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