black and white animals – Mammalian species such as zebras, pandas, and killer whales/orcas; bird species like magpies and penguins; and insect species like the banded alder borer beetle and zebra swallowtail butterfly are all examples of (black and white animals).
The list below contains pictures and facts on numerous other fascinating black and white species.
Why Are Some Animals Black And White?
Despite the fact that black and white appear to be a rather monotonous color scheme in animals, it is actually a very striking and uncommon color scheme. Animals use their black and white coloring for a variety of evolutionary functions, such as camouflage and aposematism.
Aposematism is a kind of visual deterrent for potential predators. Many black and white creatures, such as the skunk and honey badger, have distinctive patterns that indicate they are not worth invading because they taste terrible or are well-protected.
The skunk, for example, will spray a young coyote with a foul-smelling chemical if it assaults a skunk.
The coyote will start to associate the foul-smell with the aposematic black and white coloration after one or two similar encounters, and it will be hesitant to attack a skunk in the future.
The markings of the Malayan tapir are supposed to help break up the tapir’s body shape in the forest, as well as its black and white coloring.
A lion may find it more difficult to assault a lone zebra in a herd if all it can see is a wall of moving black and white stripes; this may have evolved as a defense against predators.
Black And White Animals List with Pictures And Facts
The conservation status of each animal comes from the IUCN Redlist. (Source)
Argentine Black And White Tegu
- Type of animal: Reptile
- Family: Teiidae
- Scientific name: Salvator merianae
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The (Argentine black and white tegu) is a lizard species that lives in Argentina, Brazil, and many other South American countries. The Cerrado – a huge forest and savanna ecoregion in Brazil – is home to this black and white reptile, which may be found in woodlands and savannas.(See Wikipedia)
The Argentine black and white tegu is not completely ectothermic (cold-blooded), unlike the great majority of reptiles. The species becomes endothermic (warm-blooded) during the mating season, keeping its body temperature higher than that of its surroundings.
This clever reptile may be domesticated and house-trained if it is handled correctly.
Asian Black Bear
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Ursidae
- Scientific name: Ursus thibetanus
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
One of eight currently extant bear species is the (Asian black bear). The Asian black bear, sometimes known as the “moon bear” and “white-chested bear,” has a large white, V-shaped patch on its chest, despite its predominantly black color.
This arboreal (tree-dwelling) Asian ursid resides in woodlands throughout southern and Southeast Asia. It’s an omnivore that eats everything from fruits to nuts to other plant materials in addition to hunting or scavenging for meat.
Deforestation, as well as being hunted for body parts that are used in traditional Asian medicine, have contributed to the species’ vulnerable status.
Bald Eagle
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Accipitridae
- Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
Due to its black and white plumage, yellow beak, eyes, and feet, the (bald eagle) is one of the most well-known birds on Earth. The USA’s national bird, as well as Canada and northern Mexico, is a huge avian predator.
The (bald eagle) feeds mostly on fish, which it captures in its strong talons as it dives into the water. It resides in a range of environments and thrives on fish.
Over-hunting and the widespread use of the pesticide DDT endangered this iconic American bird in the past. The species’ population has recovered since the mid-twentieth century, and it is now classified as “Least Concern,” one of the few conservation success stories.
Banded Alder Borer Beetle
- Type of animal: Insect
- Family: Cerambycidae
- Scientific name: Rosalia funebris
- Conservation status: Currently Unassessed
In the western United States, the (banded alder borer) is a black and white beetle. It belongs to the Cerambycidae family of longhorn beetles. The (banded alder borer) has lengthy antennae, which may be up to twice the length of its body, as do other members of its family.
Not just alder trees, but also willows, ash, and other species are attacked by the (banded alder borer). The bug deposits its eggs on the dead wood of a tree. The larvae burrowed into the wood after hatching.
Adult (banded alder borers) are drawn to the smell of fresh paint. The paint may have a pheromone-like odor, which could explain why it attracts the beetle.
Black And White Warbler
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Parulidae
- Scientific name: Mniotilta varia
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The New World warbler family, Parulidae, includes the (black and white warbler). It is a migratory species that spends the summer in the eastern United States and overwintering in Florida, Mexico, and Central America. It is like other warblers in its habits. The habit of creeping along branches and up and down tree trunks distinguishes this species from others (the black and white warbler).
Black And White Colobus
- Type of animal: Mammal, Primate
- Family: Cercopithecidae
- Genus: Colobus
- Conservation status: (see text)
The black colobus, Angola colobus, King colobus, ursine colobus, and mantled colobus are the five species of black and white colobos. The genus Colobus belongs to the Old World monkey family Cercopithecidae, and they are both included in it.
These five colobuses live in a variety of forest habitats throughout Africa and are black and white. The black and Angola colobus are both protected, while the king colobus is Endangered, while the ursine colobus is Critically Endangered. Only the mantled guereza is threatened.
Black And White Hawk Eagle
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Accipitridae
- Scientific name: Spizaetus melanoleucus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
A small eagle endemic to Central and South America’s forests and savannas, the black and white hawk eagle Its main diet is birds, but it will also consume a wide range of reptiles and mammals. The white woodpecker, Melanerpes candidus, is a black and white bird that the eagle is known to eat.
In search of suitable prey, the black and white hawk eagle soars high above the forest. The eagle dives, snatching its unsuspecting victim in its claws, once it has spotted a target. The black and white hawk eagle’s population is dwindling, despite the fact that it is classified as “Least Concern.”
Black And White Ruffed Lemur
- Type of animal: Mammal; Primate
- Family: Lemuridae
- Scientific name: Varecia variegata
- Conservation status: Critically Endangered
One of around 100 lemur species is the black and white ruffed lemur. Madagascar is an island nation on the eastern coast of Africa that is home to lemurs, a group of primates.
The other ruffed lemur species is the red ruffed lemur, and this black and white primate is one of two. The genus Varecia contains just two primates: the two. The arboreal black and white ruffed lemur lives in trees. It has a scattered population in eastern Madagascar’s rainforest, with some patches.
The black and white ruffed lemur has been designated as “Critically Endangered” in its native habitat. Habitat degradation induced by conventional slash and burn agriculture, logging, and mining is the primary cause of this problem.
Common Murre / Guillemot
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Alcidae
- Scientific name: Uria aalge
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The common murre, which lives in both the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, is a large seabird known as a guillemot in the British Isles. The Alcidae (puffins and razorbills) family of birds includes 24 species, one of which is the auk.
The murre is similar to penguins in terms of appearance (black and white), land maneuverability, and swimming abilities.
The similarities are a consequence of convergent evolution, or the process by which unrelated species develop similar traits. The birds are not closely connected.
In reality, since penguins are virtually exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere, a common murre would never naturally be seen with one. Unlike flightless penguins, all existing auks (including the common murre) are able to fly.
Dall’s Porpoise
- Type of animal: Mammal; Cetacean
- Family: Phocoenidae
- Scientific name: Phocoenoides dalli
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The Phocoenidae family, which includes Dall’s porpoise, is comprised of eight living porpoises. Toothed whales are a kind of marine mammal that the family belongs to. This category also includes dolphins, killer whales, and a variety of other types of whales.
Toothed whales, such as Dall’s porpoise, have teeth and actively search for their food, unlike their relatives the baleen whales, who filter it from sea water.
The North Pacific is home to Dall’s porpoise. It feeds on fish and squid, and lives in tiny pods of two to ten individuals. It’s known to be hunted by bigger species, and it’s occasionally seen swimming with killer whales.
Dalmatian Dog
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Canidae
- Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
- Conservation status: Domestic
The Dalmatian breed of dog has a distinctive white and black-spotted coat that distinguishes it. Dalmatians are a kind of medium-sized dog with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. While they may be a little rambunctious for young children, they make wonderful family pets. Dalmatia, a region in western Croatia on the Adriatic Coast, is where the breed originated.
European Badger
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Mustelidae
- Scientific name: Meles meles
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The European badger is one of the most well-known black and white creatures in Europe. The nocturnal species can be found in most woodlands across the continent. Western Asia is also included in its range.
Badgers dig their setts, or burrows, with their powerful limbs and claws in Europe. Fruit, grains, earthworms, insects, and small animals are all part of the omnivorous diet of this animal.
The weasel family, Mustelidae, includes a variety of species of badgers distributed throughout Europe.
Giant Leopard Moth
- Type of animal: Insect
- Family: Erebidae
- Scientific name: Hypercompe scribonia
- Conservation status: Currently Unassessed
From southern Canada to Panama, the giant leopard moth is a moth species found in North America. The males of this moth have a wingspan of up to 3.6 in. / 91 mm, whereas the females are significantly smaller. Individuals of both sexes have white wings that are patterned with distinct black circles and spots.
The huge leopard moth is a nocturnal insect, as are most moths. The gigantic leopard moth is approximately 3 in. / 75 mm long when it is in its larval (caterpillar) stage, and it has thick hair-like bristles known as setae (only mammals have true hair).
Giant Panda
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Ursidae
- Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
The giant panda is one of the most well-known black and white animals in the world. In the mountains of South Central China, the panda may be located. The bamboo shoots make up nearly all of the food of this bear species, which is one of eight surviving bears and the most herbivorous.
Each hand of the panda has a bony extension that acts as an extra finger. Since the panda eats bamboo stalks, these are used to grip them. The giant panda’s tremendous jaw muscles, which give the animal its characteristic round face, are another adaptation for eating bamboo.
Holstein Friesian Cattle
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Bovidae
- Scientific name: Bos taurus
- Conservation status: Domestic
In North America, “Holsteins” refers to Holstein Friesian cattle, whereas in the British Isles, “Friesians” refers to them. They’re the typical black and white cows found throughout the grasslands of both the Atlantic coasts.
The world’s most extensively distributed cow breed is Holstein Friesian, which is raised as milk-producing dairy cows. Cows raised in Europe are also known as “Friesian” cows.
Several other hoofed species, such as bison, buffalo, antelopes, sheep, and goats are all members of the cattle family (Bovidae). The term “bovids” refers to members of this family.
Honey Badger
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Mustelidae
- Scientific name: Mellivora capensis
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The Mustelidae family includes the honey badger, which is a weasel. Animals like otters, weasels, and wolverines are also included in this group of carnivoran animals.
The honey badger is a adaptable species that can live in a variety of habitats, from rainforests to deserts, and may be found across much of Africa and portions of Asia.
The honey badger’s tenacity and capacity to battle animals much bigger than itself have made it famous. When the opportunity arises, the species is an active hunter who will also hunt for food. The honey badger is not an apex predator and will be killed by lions, leopards, and hyenas, despite its fearsome reputation.
Killer Whale
- Type of animal: Mammal; Cetacean
- Family: Delphinidae
- Scientific name: Orcinus orca
- Conservation status: Data Deficient
A huge black and white marine mammal known as the killer whale, or orca. The Delphinidae family of oceanic dolphins is the world’s largest. The toothed whales are a group of marine mammals that includes Delphinidae. Dolphins, porpoises, and a variety of other whale species, such as the sperm whale, are included in this category.
Killer whales live and hunt in “pods,” which are groups of killer whales. Fish, seals, dolphins, and even whale calves are among the animals it eats. The species is found in all of the world’s oceans, where it lives in colder waters and feeds on plentiful food.
Magpies
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Corvidae
The crow family, the Corvidae, includes magpies. Crows, ravens, and jays belong to this family of birds. Black and white plumage is seen on several magpie species. The black-billed and yellow-billed magpies, as well as the Eurasian magpie, are all native to North America.
The plumage of a magpie has a lustrous (and very stunning) metallic sheen when viewed up close. The Eurasian magpie is regarded to be one of the most cognitive birds and animals, period. One of the few animals that can pass the mirror test is this clever crow. An animal must be able to recognize itself in a mirror in order to pass this test.
Malayan Tapir
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Tapiridae
- Scientific name: Tapirus indicus
- Conservation status: Endangered
The Tapiridae family of tapirs includes just the Malayan tapir, which is native to Asia. In Southeast Asia, the species can be found in tropical rainforests on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
The Malayan tapir’s black and white coloration serves as camouflage, hiding the animal from predators by breaking up its outline. The threat of being attacked by the animal is compounded by its size and strength. Despite living alongside terrifying predators such as tigers and leopards, full-grown Malayan tapirs are seldom preyed on.
Penguins
- Type of animal: Bird
- Family: Spheniscidae
Just one penguin species, the Galápagos penguin, lives in the northern hemisphere and is restricted to the Galápagos Islands, which are situated near the Equator.
Penguins are excellent swimmers, capable of using their short, powerful wings to “fly” through the water even though they are clumsy on land and unable to fly. On their bills, feet, heads, and chests, a few penguin species have touches of yellow or red, although all are predominantly black and white.
Countershading is a kind of camouflage that conceals an animal from both above and below. A penguin’s white undersides and black back are an example of countershading. A predator would have a hard time seeing a swimming penguin against the sky; an above-the-water Predator would have a tough time seeing the penguin against the dark water or beach bed.
Pied Butterfly Bat
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Vespertilionidae
- Scientific name: Glauconycteris superba
- Conservation status: Least Concern
A small bat discovered in Africa is the pied butterfly bat (also known as the pied bat). It lives in tropical woods, where it can be found. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana are among the countries where this uncommon and seldom-seen species is known to exist.
The pied bat has a bee-like appearance due to its white / pale yellow blotches on its body. The alternative name for this bat is “badger bat” because of its badger-like markings on its face. The pied bat is a mammal, just like all bats. Bats and birds developed the capacity to fly independently of each other, so they are not related.
Skunks
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Mephitidae
The animal family Mephitidae includes skunks and the two types of stinky badgers. Only the two stinky badgers are found in Southeast Asia, and there are ten skunk species that are only found in the Americas.
Skunks are predominantly black and white in color. Other animals are warned of a skunk’s ability to defend itself by the distinctive markings. Skunks are well-known for their foul-smelling spray, which they use to scares off a approaching predator.
The skunk’s defense mechanism is very successful, and it will protect it against bears as big as this one. Aposematic coloration is exemplified by the skunk’s coloring. When an animal’s color or markings make it obvious to predators that it is not worth devouring, this is the time.
Zebras
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Family: Equidae
The Equidae family of horses includes zebras. In Africa, you may see these unusual black and white striped creatures. Plains zebra, mountain zebra, and Grévy’s zebra are the three surviving zebras.
To describe the zebra’s distinguishing patterns, a number of theories have been offered. Camouflage is one example, as is control of body temperature.
A zebra’s stripes, according to another theory, deter flies from landing on its body. This would be a valuable evolutionary development because insects like flies spread disease. The zebra species’ conservation status and scientific name are highlighted below:
Zebra Species
- Plains zebra Equus quagga: Near Threatened
- Mountain zebra Equus zebra: Vulnerable
- Grévy’s zebra Equus grevyi: Endangered
Of the three zebra species, the plains zebra is by far the most prevalent and common (also known as the “common zebra”). It can be found across Sub-Saharan Africa in grasslands and savannas. In Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, the mountain zebra may be found in southwestern Africa. It’s usually seen in hilly grassland with a lot of elevation.
Grévy’s zebras are an endangered species with a population of fewer than 2,000 mature individuals. Ethiopia and Kenya have dry grasslands and shrublands where it may be found. Grévy’s zebra is the world’s biggest zebra as well as the world’s biggest wild horse.
Zebrafish
- Type of animal: Fish
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Scientific name: Danio rerio
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The zebrafish is a black and white freshwater fish found in South Asia’s wild. It is a popular aquarium fish that is also known by fish-keepers as the Zebra Danio. \
The carp and minnow family, Cyprinidae, includes the species. Because of its capacity to regrow heart and eye cells in the larval stage, the zebrafish has attracted a great deal of attention.
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
- Type of animal: Insect
- Family: Papilionidae
- Scientific name: Protographium marcellus
- Conservation status: Currently Unassessed
In the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada, the zebra swallowtail butterfly may be found. It is a big black and white butterfly. Tennessee has designated it as their state butterfly. The zebra swallowtail has a long tail streamer extending from each of its hind wings, like many members of the swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae.
The eggs of the zebra swallowtail are usually placed on pawpaw tree leaves. Because the caterpillars are cannibalistic, the eggs are laid alone.
Black And White Animals List: Conclusion
We believe you have found these wonderful creatures entertaining. Is there a particular black-and-white animal that you like? Is there anything we’ve left out? Let us know by leaving a comment below!