11/07/2025
Tira’s unusual look is caused by pseudomelanism, a rare genetic mutation that scrambles the zebra’s typical black-and-white pattern. Instead of the familiar stripes, Tira’s coat features striking chocolate hues dotted with bright white spots, making him look more like a cross between a zebra and a cheetah than anything else on Earth.
The foal was first spotted by local guide Antony Tira his namesake who captured the now-viral photographs that stunned wildlife experts worldwide. While zebras use their stripes for camouflage, temperature control, and deterring biting insects, Tira’s reversed pattern presents an intriguing mystery about how these altered markings might affect survival in the wild.
So far, Tira has remained healthy and active, moving confidently among his herd in the Masai Mara. His story reminds us how nature continues to surprise us, rewriting its own rules and painting outside the lines literally.
Credits: Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancy, National Geographic, BBC Earth, Antony Tira Photography.
