Rare Polka-Dot Baby Zebra Spotted in Kenya’s Masai Mara

A wildlife sighting in Kenya’s Masai Mara has stunned photographers and animal lovers alike — a baby zebra with polka dots instead of stripes. 🦓

This unusual coat pattern is the result of a rare pigment condition known as pseudomelanism, where the typical black-and-white striping appears disrupted, creating spots and irregular shapes instead of neat stripes.

While Africa is home to around half a million plains zebras, such a unique coat pattern is exceptionally rare. Most zebras are born with the classic striped pattern that helps with camouflage, thermoregulation, and even deterring biting flies.

Kenya is also home to the endangered Grevy’s zebra, with only a few thousand left in the wild. For conservationists, every foal — whether striped or spotted — plays a vital role in the survival of these iconic animals. Protecting the vast grasslands of the Mara is just as important, ensuring zebras and countless other species continue to thrive.

This extraordinary foal is a reminder of nature’s ability to surprise us — and why safeguarding wild habitats remains so crucial.