Fake Zebras

You can actually ride a zebra, but they are far more difficult to acquire and to train. So if you can't afford a real zebra, and need to reel in the punters--no problem. All you need is a white pony, horse or donkey and a can of black paint! (Or, in the case of a black animal, white paint.) Here are a bunch of different examples of fake zebras....

It seems that Tijuana's fake zebras date from the 1930s. They are a popular prop for getting your photo taken but now becoming quite rare.

More examples:

• Cart donkey (2003)
• Band 'Black Lips' (2007)
• Painted pony (2010)
• This one is tiny! (undated)

Some of the most beautiful photographs of Tijuana zebras were these shots taken by Arturio Rubio in 2007: shot 1, shot 2.

In Moscow painted horses were used to remind motorists to stop for pedestrian (a.k.a. "zebra") crossings.

Apparently they have some real zebras, but like to offer rise on fakes for the children.Or at least that's my best guess based on the photographs.

Apparently some people were outrages by the hoax. But it seems to me that they need their eyesight checked. Really? You thought that was a real one?

But then, maybe a lot of people don't really know what a zebra is meant to look like. Otherwise this emaciated-looking specimen at the Gaza zoo would never have pasted muster.

It seems like a similar trick might have been used by a zoo in Russia?

Another location that has cottoned on to the idea of fake zebras a tourist novelties is clearly Vietnam, with examples popping up in a range of locations.

See:Vietnam (2007), Dalat (2009), LanBiang Mountain (2011), Vietnam (undated)

Prominent Australian photographer took this photo "Boy Painting Zebra Stripes on a Horse" in 1910.

• Racetrack promotion (~1984)
• Hyde Park, Sydney (2004)
• Buckskin and tape (2008)
• Pony (undated)
  

Faux zebras have appeared in advertisements for: Juicy Couture.

Rihanna poses on a fake zebra (2010).

• Virgin Island (2007)--shown right.
• California Pony Parties (2011)

• The move Sheena (1984)--starting at 0.32.
• My Super Sweet 16: reality show (2008): Imogen's pony appears in zebra stripes.
• It seems that the new Men in Black movie with involve a fake zebra in some way.

• Where, when, why?!
• Cute but unidentified (2009?)
• Painted pony

Some people stretch a point to zebra stripe other animals like pigs.

Did you know that it was rumored that the horse from the television show "Mr. Ed" was a zebra? It's a fun idea, but comprehensively not true.

And remember, if you are going to make a fake zebra use a calm equid and non-toxic paint. Zebra vandalism is not cool.