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Females are usually larger than males.
The coloration is usually either black and white or brown and white, in a fairly definite pattern of stripes and spots or blotches. The variation is caused mainly by the intensity or purity of the coloration and by the relative size of the differently colored areas. Variation in color is also affected by the differing extent of the light and dark parts of those hairs that are banded or tipped with light or dark pigmentation. On either side of the mane, along the back, the hair is shorter and lighter in color than the surrounding hair, giving the effect of a furrow in the fur and emphasizing the mane. In some animals the mane is scarcely apparent on the head and is reduced on the tail.