What makes these wild cats have strips and what makes them have spots and is one better then the other? Well according to Science Daily there are several factors that contribute to whether or not a wild cat have strips or spots. They found that cats living in dense habitats, in the trees, and active at low light levels, are the most likely to be patterned, or spot like. They think its because over time the coats of the cats evolved for camouflage to help them adapt better in there environment, as well as provide protection. Analysis of the evolutionary history of the patterns have made it quite clear that there is a definite link between environment and patterning, how ever for tigers this doesn't hold true, and we don't have a definite reason why. Only tigers always have vertically elongated patterns and these patterns were not associated with a grassland habitat, as might be expected. However, tigers seem to be very well camouflaged so this raises the question why vertical stripes are not more common in cats and other mammals (University of Bristol)? So you decide are spots better then strips?
This is interesting. I had no idea that animals have stripes or spots related to their habitat. I merely thought that it was just the way that they were born. This is surprising, now I know when I see an animal with stripes or spots I will know their previous habitat.
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