There are many things in our world that are black and white in color. From animals to objects and patterns, the combination of black and white is quite common. Though there may not be one specific term that encapsulates all black and white items, there are names for some common examples. In this article, we’ll explore some of the established terms used to describe black and white things.
Animals
In the animal kingdom, many species showcase the classic black and white palette. Here are some of the most well-known:
Pandas
The giant panda is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable black and white animals. Native to certain mountain ranges in China, these bears are covered in black fur with distinct white markings on their face, ears, legs and shoulders. Their striking coat pattern is likely meant as camouflage within the contrasting colors of their natural forest habitat.
Penguins
Several penguin species, such as the emperor and rockhopper, exhibit the black and white coloration. The tuxedo-like plumage provides camouflage while swimming in the ocean, making it difficult for predators to spot them against the light shining down and the darkness of the deep waters. Some, like the king penguin, even have bright yellow markings along with the black and white.
Skunks
Multiple types of skunks, including the striped skunk and spotted skunk, showcase black fur with pronounced white stripes or spots. These contrasting markings are a warning signal to potential predators that the skunk could spray them with its pungent scent glands if threatened. The bold pattern also serves as camouflage when the skunk is in a habitat with shadows and sunlight.
Zebras
Zebras are essentially the panda bears of the equine world with their black and white striped coats. The striking stripes are unique to each individual zebra and provide an excellent camouflage as the black stripes blend into shadows and the white stripes blend into sunlight in tall grass habitats. This helps protect zebras from potential predators.
Killer Whales
While often called “black and white whales”, killer whales are actually the largest members of the dolphin family. They earned the black and white description from their distinct color pattern of black backs with white undersides and patches around their eyes and fins. The contrast helps camouflage them when hunting in the ocean.
Badgers
Badgers are stocky mammals identified by their black fur marked with a white head stripe, black and white striped face, and white underbelly. These markings help badgers remain hidden in low light conditions when searching for food.
Insects
Several insects also feature coloration in black and white:
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
True to its name, the zebra swallowtail butterfly has black and white striped wings. The lower wings specifically have elongated horizontal white stripes contrasting with wider black stripes. This distinct pattern makes the butterfly easy to identify.
Panda Ant
Despite its name, the panda ant is actually a type of wingless wasp found in Chile. Its black and white furry appearance resembles a tiny panda bear, hence the nickname “panda ant”.
Skunk Beetle
Skunk beetles have black bodies with white markings similar to actual skunks. This distinctive black and white coloration serves as a warning to predators that the beetles secrete a foul-smelling spray from glands near their rear.
Black and White Butterfly
This species earned its descriptive name from the stark contrast between the solid black wings marked with large white spots on the male butterflies. The females exhibit more of a washed-out gray and beige coloration.
American Bumble Bee
The American bumble bee showcases both black and white hairs, resulting in an overall checkered appearance, though some may have more black than white hairs. This black and white pattern varies across female worker bees and male drones.
Sea Creatures
Under the sea, many creatures also display some black and white elements:
Killer Whale
As mentioned earlier, killer whales have a black back and white underside and facial markings, despite actually being a member of the dolphin family. They are sometimes referred to as “blackfish” due to their predominant black color.
Piano Sea Slug
The piano sea slug has a vibrant black body with bright white markings along its face and back that resemble piano keys, giving rise to its musical name. Its coloration stands out against coral reef backgrounds.
Penguin Fish
With its black top and white bottom separated by a thin black strip around its midsection, the penguin fish resembles the appearance of a penguin. The similar color pattern provides camouflage from above and below.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Fittingly named for their resemblance to skunks, skunk cleaner shrimp have a white stripe that runs down along the back against an otherwise black body and white antennae. They use their antennae to clean other fish.
Domino Damselfish
The domino damselfish is covered in solid black scales, with a distinctive large white spot on its side, earning it the domino nickname. Smaller white spots speckle the rest of the body.
Birds
Numerous bird species exhibit classically black and white plumage:
Magpies
Magpies are medium-sized birds identified by their black and white coloration. Eurasian magpies have jet black plumage that contrasts with white shoulders, belly and tail tip. American magpies have black heads and wings with white markings on the body and tail.
Mockingbirds
While mockingbirds can have gray or brown plumage, the black and white mockingbirds are named for their distinctive color pattern. These mockingbirds have predominantly black wings and backs with large white patches on the wings and outer tail.
Skuas
Skua refers to several seabird species in the jaeger family characterized by black and white coloration with gray on their wings and tail. For example, the great skua has a gray back and wings with a black cap and white belly.
Sheathbills
Sheathbills are white birds with black wingtips, giving them a classic black and white appearance. The young sheathbills have gray plumage before developing the darker wingtips as adults. Snowy sheathbills are a bit different with black backs instead.
Auks
Auks are black and white seabirds in the Alcidae family. Horned puffins specifically exhibit black plumage on the back and crown, white faces, and orange bill markings. Tufted puffins have black feathers, white facial plumes, yellow head plumes, and orange bills.
Reptiles
A few reptile species also showcase black and white patterning:
Panda Ball Python
The panda ball python has the normal brown and black blotches of a ball python with added white markings that resemble those of a panda bear, thus earning it the panda name. The white markings appear primarily on the sides.
Mexican Mole Lizard
Mexican mole lizards have black bodies with distinct white bands circling around them. Their bodies somewhat resemble large worms or larvae. Despite their name, these reptiles are actually amphibians without scales.
Peninsula Cooter
The peninsula cooter is a type of freshwater turtle with a dark carapace (top shell) and skin, along with yellowish markings on the neck, head, and legs. Their plastron (bottom shell) is pale yellow with black blotches, creating a black and white pattern.
Domesticated Animals
Even some domesticated animals showcase black and white coats:
Holstein Friesian Cattle
The iconic black and white dairy cows are Holstein Friesians. They have large black spots contrasting with the white coat. Newborn calves are reddish-brown and black before developing the full black and white coat.
Border Collies
Border collies can come in a variety of coats, but the black and white coat is one of the most common and identifiable. They have a black back and white neck, underside and legs, sometimes with small black spots scattered throughout.
Panda Dogs
Some individual dogs of various breeds have unusual black and white markings reminiscent of pandas, referred to as panda dogs or panda puppies. While not a standardized breed, these dogs typically have black ears and eyes surrounded by white faces and black spots or masks. The body is predominantly white with irregular black spots.
Hairy Vetch
Hairy vetch is a plant with delicate purple flowers and leaves made up of numerous small leaflets. Its thin, hairy stems are black and white striped, resembling those of a panda bear. Hence, its nickname “panda food”. The plant is grown to feed wild pandas.
Black and White Warbler
Despite its name, the black and white warbler is a small songbird with yellow patches rather than a true warbler. It has a black and white striped back with white wing bars and underside with black streaks on the breast.
Shapes and Patterns
Beyond living things, certain shapes and patterns also feature black and white elements:
Checkerboard
A checkerboard pattern consists of alternating black and white squares, like those on a checkerboard game. It creates a distinctive criss-crossed visual effect.
Oreos
Oreo cookies are the classic black and white snack, with dark chocolate wafers surrounding white cream filling. “Oreo” has become a generic term for anything with contrasting black and white colors.
Piano Keys
The keyboard on a piano consists of gleaming white keys and black keys arranged in an identifiable pattern. The alternating white and black keys create the look that piano sea slugs mimic.
Barcode
A standard UPC barcode is made of black bars and white spaces of varying widths that can be scanned to identify a retail product. The barcode pattern is an iconic black and white design.
Newspaper Print
Traditional newspaper print consists of black ink letters printed on rough white paper. The combination of thin, flowing black text on the white background creates a recognizable newspaper look.
Fashion
Black and white patterns are ubiquitous in fashion:
Panda Makeup
A popular makeup look involves using black eyeliner, eye shadow, and other cosmetics to create a panda eye effect with black “ears” and “mask”. The rest of the face is kept mostly white.
Zebra Stripes
Black and white zebra stripes are used extensively in fashion on everything from dresses to jackets, pants, and accessories. They create an eye-catching motif.
Houndstooth
Houndstooth is a duotone textile pattern with abstract four-pointed shapes interlocking in black and white. It is a staple fabric used for suits, hats, and dresses.
Dalmation Spots
The black spotted coat of dalmatians inspires spotted black and white patterns on apparel and accessories. The randomly scattered spots provide a playful motif.
Harlequin
A harlequin pattern consists of a diamond grid that alternates between black and white. It is seen on tights, dresses, and decor pieces for an artsy flair.
Conclusion
While there may not be one universal term for black and white items, many objects in our world showcase the classic color pairing. From animals like pandas and skunks to patterns like checkerboards and zebra stripes, black and white makes up some of nature’s and humankind’s most iconic looks. The contrast draws the eye and creates instant visual recognition. So the next time you spot something black and white, look for identifying characteristics to narrow down its specific name.
