Tira (zebra)

Tira is the first polka dot zebra found in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Similarly patterned zebra foals have been seen before in Botswana. Tira, a plains zebra (Equus quagga) who is mostly black, with white spots, was first discovered and named by a local guide named The Tira.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Tira

Species	Plains zebra (Equus quagga)
Sex	Male
Born	2019 Masai Mara National Reserve
Known for	polka dot coat

The dotted color is a genetic condition popularly called pseudomelanism. One geneticist suggests "spotted" or "partially spotted" may be a better description as "pseudomelanism" is not well defined.^[6]

References

1. "Rare polka-dotted zebra foal photographed in Kenya". Animals. National Geographic. 2019-09-18. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
2. Katz, Brigit (14 September 2019). "Spotted in Kenya: A Baby Zebra With Polka Dots". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
3. "What's the deal with Kenya's rare polka-dot zebra?". Earth Touch News Network. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
4. "Rare polka-dotted zebra caught on camera". The Independent. 2019-10-04. Archived from the original on 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
5. "Why have stripes when you can have spots?". Retrieved 2020-10-06.
6. "Rare Zebra Foal With Polka Dots Spotted In Kenya". Forbes. Retrieved March 19, 2022.