Examples of black and white animals include Adélie penguin, Albatross, Badger, Bald-Faced Hornet, and Black and White Colobus.
Many animals are black and white, but did you know that there is a reason for this? Black and white animals use camouflage to hide from their predators.
It’s not just these animals that have adapted to the environment, though; humans also wear black and white clothes so they can blend in with the environment during times of war.
Examples of Animals that are Black and White
1. Adélie Penguin
| Scientific Name | Pygoscelis adeliae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctica |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Adélie penguin is a species of penguin common along the entire Antarctic coast and its nearby islands. They’re among the most southerly distributed of all seabirds, as well as one of Earth’s five penguin species.
Like other members in this genus, they breed around Antarctica during the austral winter.
2. Albatross
| Scientific Name | Diomedeidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Southern Ocean |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The albatross is a large black and white seabird that can be found in the Southern Hemisphere. They are known for their impressive wingspans, which can reach up to 11 feet.
3. Badger
| Scientific Name | Meles meles |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The badger is a mammal that is found in North America and Europe. They are usually black and white, with some variation. The badger is a strong animal and can be ferocious when it needs to be.
They live in burrows which they dig themselves and eat mostly insects, small mammals, and fruits. Badgers are also known to be fierce creatures that will fight off larger animals.
Related Article: Do Badger Have Paws?
4. Bald-Faced Hornet
| Scientific Name | Dolichovespula maculata |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | United States |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Bald-Faced Hornet is a very aggressive insect. It can sting repeatedly, injecting venom that acts to kill the prey. The bald-faced hornet has black and white markings on its abdomen with orange or brown coloring in between them.
They are about one inch long, which includes their long legs. Body parts that are not black and white in color include the mandibles, eyes, and antennae.
5. Belted Galloway
| Scientific Name | Bos taurus taurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Domesticated Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Belted Galloway is a striking breed, with a completely black body and face apart from a single band of pure white fur stretching all the way around them like a belt.
Belted Galloway are from the border region between Scotland and England but are originally descended from the Netherlands.
Sometimes called “belties”, this breed is known for its gentle nature and top quality beef.
There are many other black and white cow breeds that are either descended from the Belted Galloway or share a common ancestor. These include the American Belted, which is sometimes known as the ‘Oreo’ cow.
6. Black and White Columbus
| Scientific Name | Colobus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Kenya |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Black and White Colobus Monkeys are an endangered species found in the forests of Kenya, they can be spotted at Casaletto Lodigiano. The rare monkeys live on a diet of leaves and fruit which makes them vulnerable to deforestation due to their habitat being destroyed by farming techniques such as slashing and burning.
7. Black Spotted Nudibranch
| Scientific Name | Phyllidiopsis papilligera Bergh |
| Type of Animal | Gastropod |
| Range | throughout the Indo Pacific |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Black Spotted Nudibranch can be found as far north as Norway and as south as the Mediterranean. They are usually only about one inch in length, but they have very bright colors that make them stand out to predators.
Their black-spotted coloration is thought to mimic other sea creatures like crabs or poisonous jellyfish for protection against predators.
8. Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur
| Scientific Name | Varecia variegata |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Madagascar |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is a strepsirrhine primate endemic to Madagascar. It has two subspecies, the red ruffed lemur (V. v. rubra) and the white-ruffed lemur (V. v. alba).
These lemurs get their common name from the black and white bands that run down their bodies.
They are the largest of the lemur species, measuring up to 45 centimeters (18 in) long and weighing up to four kilograms (eight pounds).
9. Black-and-white Warbler
| Scientific Name | Mniotilta varia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
| Diet | Carnivore |
70The Black-and-white Warbler is a songbird in the New World warbler family. It was formerly known as “Mountain Warbler”.
They breed in temperate forests of North America, from British Columbia south to central Mexico; east to West Virginia; and north through southern Alaska (though not on Kodiak Island or the Alaska Peninsula). In winter, they migrate to Mexico and Central America.
10. California King Snake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis getula californiae |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Golden State |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The California kingsnake is a non-venomous, colubrid species that can be found throughout the southwestern United States and part of Mexico.
It gets its name from where it lives: in abandoned mining caves and along rocky outcrops just below hillsides. These snakes are not picky about their habitat as long as the area has plenty of cover and is relatively warm.
11. Clark’s Nutcracker Woodpecker
| Scientific Name | Nucifraga columbiana |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | western North America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Clark’s Nutcracker is a large, crested woodpecker that lives in the mountains of California and Oregon. This bird has white plumage on its belly, neck, chin, and rump. The rest of the underparts are black except for some red mottling on the breastbone.
12. Dall’s Porpoise
| Scientific Name | Phocoenoides dalli |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North Pacific Ocean |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Dall’s Porpoise is a small and slender species of porpoise. They have a small dorsal fin located towards the back half of their bodies, which can sometimes appear to be an extension of their tails. They are black on top with a white underbelly.
13. Dalmatian Dog
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Dalmatian is a breed of dog that was first used as a carriage dog in the early 1800s. They were bred to run alongside carriages and help clear the way by barking at horses and other animals.
Today, they are popular pets and can be found in many homes across North America. Dalmatians are typically white with black spots, but there are also some all-black and all-white varieties.
14. Dascyllus
| Scientific Name | Dascyllus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Red Sea and East Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Dascyllus aruanus is a species of damselfish found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. These fish have black stripes running down their bodies, and they can grow up to 12 inches long.
15. Downy Woodpecker
| Scientific Name | Picoides pubescens |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America from Alaska to Florida |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Downy Woodpecker is a subspecies of the Hairy Woodpecker. This species can be found all over America, Canada, and northern Mexico.
They are common throughout most parts of their range except for Alaska where they are rare or absent due to the lack of trees in higher altitudes.
16. Dutch Rabbit
| Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Dutch rabbit is a popular pet choice and for good reason. They are friendly, easy to care for and come in a variety of colors including black and white. These rabbits make great indoor pets and can be litter trained relatively easily.
17. Egyptian Mau
| Scientific Name | Felis catus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Egypt |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Egyptian Mau Cats are striking cats that have beautiful black spots, golden eyes and ringed tails.
18. Eider Duck
| Scientific Name | Somateria mollissima |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The eider duck is a sea duck that can be found in the cold Arctic waters. These ducks are unique because they are the only species of ducks where the male and female look completely different. The males have a black head and white body, while the females have a white head and black body.
19. Four Stripe Damselfish
| Scientific Name | Dascyllus melanurus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Indo-Australian Archipelago and western Caroline |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The four-stripe damselfish is a species of marine fish. It can grow up to three inches long, and it has bright blue and white stripes that may help them camouflage against the sea floor or coral reefs, especially when they are young.
These creatures tend to live in pairs at the bottom of the ocean where their food sources are plentiful.
20. Giant Leopard Moth
| Scientific Name | Hypercompe scribonia |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | South America |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Giant Leopard Moth caterpillars are black with white spots and aren’t venomous. They have yellow, blue, orange, or green stinging spines that can sting their predators.
Related Article: Can Leopard Moth be Black & White?
21. Giant Panda
| Scientific Name | Ailuropoda melanoleuca |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southwest China |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Giant pandas are an endangered species and live primarily in a few mountain ranges of central China. Once common throughout southern and eastern China as well as the Tibetan Plateau, they lived in bamboo forests high in the mountains – where there is snow for half the year.
22. Holstein Cow
| Scientific Name | Bos taurus taurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Domesticated Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Holstein-Friesian or simply the “Holstein”, is a breed of cattle known for its black and white color. This dairy cow was named after the county in which it originated: The Netherlands’ County of Holstein.
23. Holstein Friesian Cattle
| Scientific Name | Bos taurus taurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Netherlands |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Holstein Friesian is a black and white dairy cow. It is one of the most common breeds of cattle in the world. The Holstein Friesian was developed in the Netherlands in the early 1800s. It is a cross between the Dutch Friesian and the English Angus.
24. Honey Badger
| Scientific Name | Mellivora capensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and western Asia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Honey badgers share a name with the American badger but are an entirely separate species of black and white animal found in the old world – anywhere from Africa, the middle east, to western Asia.
25. Loons
| Scientific Name | Gavia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Alaska and much of Canada south |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Loons are black and white birds that can be found in North America. They are the state bird of Minnesota. Loons have a wide variety of calls that they use to communicate with each other.
26. Magpie
| Scientific Name | Corvidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, Asia, Australia, and western North America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The magpie is a common bird throughout much of the world, with many sub-species within the genus. These birds eat insects, grain, and fruit which makes them omnivores. They are known for being very defensive of their land and are prone to swooping unsuspecting passers by.
27. Malayan Tapir
| Scientific Name | Acrocodia indica |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Malayan tapir is a black and white animal that is found in Southeast Asia. It is the largest of the four species of tapir and can weigh up to 700 pounds. The Malayan tapir has a long, prehensile nose that it uses to grab leaves and branches from trees.
28. Orca Whale
| Scientific Name | Orcinus orca |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Killer Whale or Orca Whale is a black and white animal that lives in the ocean. They are one of the largest animals in the ocean and can grow up to 30 feet long. Orcas are very smart animals and have been known to use tools, like rocks, to break open clamshells.
29. Penguins
| Scientific Name | Spheniscidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Arctic |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The coloring of penguins helps them to blend in with their surroundings when they are in the water. When they are on land, their black and white coloring makes them easily visible to predators and prey.
30. Pied Bat
| Scientific Name | Chalinolobus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Congo |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Pied Bat is a fruit bat and one of the most iconic animals in Africa. It’s like the face you see on every good postcard, tote bag, or book cover with an African animal theme.
31. Razorbill
| Scientific Name | Alca torda |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the North Atlantic |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The razorbill is a black and white seabird that can be found in the Atlantic Ocean. These birds are about 18 inches long and have a wingspan of 36 inches. Razorbills get their name from their thin, pointed bill which is used to catch fish.
32. Ring-Tailed Lemur
| Scientific Name | Lemur catta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southwestern Madagascar |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), the most recognized lemur due to its long, black and white ringed tail, is a large strepsirrhine primate and the only member of the Lemur genus.
33. Royal Palm Turkey
| Scientific Name | Meleagris gallopavo f. domestica |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Lake Worth, Florida |
| Diet | Omnivore |
These turkeys have primarily black feathers with white accents on their wings as well as some other areas of their body.
Related Article: 10 Foods Not to Feed Turkeys
34. Siberian Husky
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Siberian Husky is a black and white dog that was originally used as a sled dog in Siberia. They are now popular pets because of their friendly personalities and beautiful coats.
35. Skunk
| Scientific Name | Mephitidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the United States, Canada, South America, and Mexico |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The three North American animals that are commonly referred to as black and white animals are the skunk, raccoon, and opossum. All three of these animals have fur that is predominantly black and white, although there can be some variation in coloration.
36. Sooty Tern
| Scientific Name | Onychoprion fuscatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Hawaii |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Sooty Terns are black and white seabird that is found in tropical and subtropical waters. They have a long, pointed wingspan and a forked tail. Sooty Terns eat small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
37. Tasmanian Devils
| Scientific Name | Sarcophilus harrisii |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Tasmania |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Tasmanian devils are an endangered species of animal only found in Tasmania, an Australian state that is an island to the south of the Australian mainland.
38. Valais Blacknose
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Switzerland |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Valais Blacknose Sheep are a rare breed of sheep that are mostly found in the Valais canton of Switzerland. They have black heads, white bodies, and black wool on their legs.
39. Bengal Tiger
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris tigris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan |
| Diet | Carnivore |
They are very rare, and can only be found in the wild in India and Nepal. The white tiger is different from other tigers because they have a gene that causes them to be all white. White tigers are not albinos, they have normal pigmentation in their eyes and skin.
40. Zebra
| Scientific Name | Equus quagga |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The zebra is one of the most well-known black and white animals. They are native to Africa and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands and savannas.
41. Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
| Scientific Name | Eurytides marcellus |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | southern Canada to northern Mexico |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The black and white markings on the wings of a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly are so distinctive that it is easy to identify this beautiful insect.
The name for these butterflies comes from the zebra-like stripes on their wings. These stripes help camouflage the butterfly when it is resting on a leaf.
42. Zorse
| Scientific Name | Equus zebra x Equus caballus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Zorse, also known as Zebroid is a hybrid between zebra and any other equine. There are many reports of this kind of animal but it is not very common.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.