The answer to the riddle “What animal is black, white and red all over?” is not as straightforward as it may seem. There are actually multiple animals that fit parts of this description when looking at their colors and patterns. To get to the traditional answer of this brain teaser, some clues about the animal’s characteristics need to be considered.
Analyzing the Riddle
Let’s break down the question piece by piece:
- What animal…
- is black…
- white…
- and red…
- all over?
The key parts are the color pattern and “all over” which indicates the whole body or coat of the animal is these colors. With this in mind, here are some animals that match parts of the riddle:
Black and White Animals
- Pandas – Black and white fur
- Zebras – Black and white stripes
- Killer whales (orcas) – Black and white skin pattern
- Skunks – Black fur with a white stripe
- Penguins – Black backs with white fronts
While these animals have black and white coloration, most do not have red on their bodies. Pandas, skunks, zebras and orcas only exhibit black and white. Penguins have black, white and sometimes yellow feathers, but not red.
Red Animals
- Cardinal birds – Red feathers
- Ladybugs – Red wings with black spots
- Lobsters – Red shell when cooked
- Red fox – Reddish brown fur
- Flamingos – Pinkish red feathers
These animals have red hues, but most lack defined black and white areas. Ladybugs have black spots, lobsters turn red when cooked, and foxes sometimes have white chest patches. But the riddle specifically says black, white and red all over the body.
Partially Matching Animals
There are some animals that come closer to fitting “black, white and red all over”, though still not exactly:
| Animal | Colors |
|---|---|
| Giant Pandas | Black and white fur, with some pinkish skin on face, ears and legs |
| Holstein Cows | Black and white splotched fur, with a pink udder |
| Chipmunks | Brown, black and white striped fur, with some reddish color on face and legs |
Giant pandas have black and white coats, with some pinkish skin that could be considered faintly reddish. Holstein dairy cows are distinctly black and white, and have pink udders. Chipmunks have striped brown, black and white fur, but also exhibit reddish hues on their face and legs. However, none of these animals are distinctly and entirely black, white and red.
The Traditional Riddle Answer
When taking the question completely literally to mean an animal that is black, white and red all over its body, the traditional answer is:
A Newspaper
A newspaper fits the description because:
- The pages are white.
- The printed text is black.
- The name of the paper is often red.
Together when rolled up or folded, the pages form a rectangular prism or “body” that is black, white and red all over. A newspaper fits the riddle not because it is a living animal, but because it meets the color pattern clues.
Some people may argue that a newspaper doesn’t qualify as an animal. While true, the riddle simply asks “What is black, white and red all over?” not “What animal…” Calling a newspaper an animal is a play on words revealing the twist of the puzzle.
Alternative Riddle Answers
While a newspaper is the standard answer, here are some other creative answers that fit the riddle:
A Penguin with a Sunburn
Penguins are normally black and white. But if one got a sunburn, its skin would turn red all over its body while still having black and white feathers.
A Skunk with a Paint Spill
Skunks have black fur and a prominent white stripe. If it somehow got red paint spilled all over its black fur, it would be black, white and red.
A Flag
Some flags are black, white and red. For example, the flag of Poland is evenly split into horizontal stripes of white on top and red on bottom, with a solid black quadrilateral in the upper left.
A Cookie
A black and white cookie with red sprinkles could also match the riddle criteria of being black, white and red all over.
Conclusion
While pandas, cardinals and many other animals exhibit some of the colors described in the riddle, a newspaper remains the standard answer. The riddle prompts creative thinking about colors, patterns, semantics and word play. It highlights the importance of considering all parts of the question thoroughly before landing on a final answer. With some imagination, there are many fun interpretations of what animal or object could be black, white and red all over!
