Many wild animals around the world exhibit black coloration in their fur, feathers, or scales. Black coloration serves important functions in the natural world such as camouflage, signaling, and thermoregulation. When we think of black animals, some common examples that may come to mind include black bears, black panthers, ravens, and black mambas. However, there are many more wild animal species that have black as a dominant part of their appearance. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable wild animals that are black in color.
Mammals
Black Bears
One of the most widespread and well-known black mammals is the American black bear (Ursus americanus). Native throughout North America, these bears have black fur that can appear blue-black to brown-black in sunlight. The fur is long and shaggy and helps insulate the bears in cooler climates. Despite the name, black bears can sometimes have brown, tan, or even white-colored fur. Overall though, the black morph is the most common. Black bears are omnivorous opportunistic feeders, eating grasses, roots, berries, insects, fish, small mammals, and carrion. They are excellent climbers and swim well too. Adult black bears reach up to 6 feet in length and can weigh 300-500 lbs.
Black-Backed Jackals
The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a canine species found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. As their name suggests, they have distinctive black and silver fur along their back and tail, transitioning to tan and white fur on the underside. This coloration provides camouflage in their open grassland and woodland habitats. Black-backed jackals are omnivores, eating rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, arthropods, fruits, berries and sometimes carrion. They live in mated pairs that defend territories and raise their young together. Jackals communicate with yips, howls and other vocalizations.
Black Leopards
The black leopard or black panther is a dark-colored morph of the leopard species (Panthera pardus). Found in parts of Africa and Asia, these mysterious big cats have inky black fur with faint spotted rosettes still visible in certain light. Their dark coloration is advantageous for nocturnal hunting and camouflaging in dense forests. Black panthers are powerful predators that hunt medium-sized prey like deer and antelope using stealth and ambush techniques. They are also able climbers and swim well, even out into sea to catch fish! They are solitary and elusive cats, coming together only for mating.
Birds
Ravens
The common raven (Corvus corax) is an iconic all-black bird found across the Northern Hemisphere. Their feathers have a purple-blue iridescence when viewed up close. Ravens are among the largest perching birds, reaching up to 2 feet long with a 4-foot wingspan. These intelligent birds communicate with a wide range of croaks, calls and knocks. Ravens are omnivorous opportunists, eating carrion, insects, rodents, seeds, fruit and garbage. They soar high in the sky and also perform rolls, dives and aerobatics during flight. Ravens form lifelong monogamous pairs and build nests on cliffs, trees, or structures.
Crows
Crows are a group of birds in the genus Corvus that are all black in color. The most widespread species, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), is found throughout North America. Slightly smaller than ravens, crows have black feathers covering their entire body, legs, eyes and bill. Crows are highly social and intelligent birds that cooperate to mob predators, remember human faces, and solve problems. They eat almost anything – insects, snails, seeds, fruits, nuts, reptiles, eggs, amphibians and small mammals. Crows communicate with a wide variety of caws and rattles.
Emperor Penguins
The stately emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) sports a streamlined black-and-white tuxedo-like plumage. The black back and head help provide camouflage when swimming in the ocean. Emperor penguins breed exclusively in Antarctica during the bitter winter. Males incubate the single egg by balancing it on their feet and covering it with a flap of belly skin and feathers. Emperors can withstand temperatures down to -60°F (-51°C) by huddling together. These penguins dive deep underwater to catch fish, squid and krill. Their streamlined shape helps them reach speeds of 15-20 mph (24-30 km/h) while swimming.
Reptiles
Black Mambas
The feared black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a highly venomous snake species found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It gets its name from the inky black color inside its mouth, in contrast to its grayish-brown scales. Black mambas can reach lengths over 14 feet, making them one of the longest venomous snake species in the world. When threatened, they flare their black mouths and may also spread narrow neck-flaps or “hood”. Their neurotoxic venom can cause rapid paralysis and death in under an hour without antivenom. Black mambas are fast-moving snakes that prey on birds, small mammals and other snakes.
Black-Banded Sea Krait
The black-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata) is a venomous snake found in coral reefs and shallow coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific. As their name suggests, black transverse bands contrast sharply with the snake’s pale blue belly. The snake’s paddle-shaped tail helps it swim efficiently as it hunts for fish, eels and other small prey along the sea floor. When threatened, the black-banded sea krait flattens its neck into a hood. Its venom can cause myotoxicity but is rarely dangerous to humans.
Komodo Dragons
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard species. These apex predators living on several Indonesian islands can reach 10 feet long and weigh 150 lbs. Komodo dragons have armor-like scales and a muscular tail. Young Komodos are yellowish with dark bands, eventually darkening to a blackish overall color with age. Using their forked tongues, Komodos detect prey like deer, boar and water buffalo from up to 9 miles away. They deliver a toxic bite that immobilizes and bleeds out large prey over hours or days. Komodos also eat carrion frequently when available.
Amphibians
Marbled Salamanders
The marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) is a mole salamander native to the eastern United States. These stocky, black salamanders have white crossbanding or marbling that resembles lichen on wood. This coloration camouflages them on the forest floor. During the fall breeding season, males develop swollen cloacae (vents) and have brighter white markings around the face and tail. After mating, females lay eggs in dried vernal pools. Larvae hatch when fall rains refill the pools. Marbled salamanders eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates.
Common Frogs
The common frog (Rana temporaria) is a dark brown or black frog with a lighter underside and characteristic black eye mask. Found throughout much of Europe, they prefer damp meadows, marshes and woodlands near pools or streams for breeding. Males attract mates with a rattling croak during spring. Females lay up to 4,000 eggs in clumps, which hatch into tadpoles within 3 weeks. Tadpoles metamorphose into froglets after 2-3 months. Common frogs eat invertebrates like insects, snails, and spiders. Their main predators are birds, large fish, and other frogs.
Giant Salamanders
Giant salamanders are some of the largest amphibians in the world. The Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) reaches up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long. Endemic to rocky mountain streams in Japan, they have dark brown or black, wrinkly skin. Their eyes are tiny with poor vision, so they locate prey by smell and touch. Giant salamanders breathe through their skin and external gills. They emerge at night to hunt fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) are critically endangered. Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) are a giant salamander native to eastern North America streams.
Insects & Arachnids
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) are long-legged spiders with small grayish-black bodies 6-10 mm long. Native to Europe, they are now found worldwide in basements and cellars. Their spindly legs can span 5-inch legspans. Cellar spiders build loose, chaotic webs near the ceiling to snare prey like flies, mosquitoes, and other small arthropods. Their long fragile legs help them blend into webs by mimicking debris and threads. Cellar spiders are not dangerous to humans, though their bites may cause mild irritation.
Black Widow Spiders
Infamous black widow spiders belong to the genus Latrodectus and are found worldwide. The female black widow has a shiny black body with a prominent red hourglass marking on the underside. Only the female bites, delivering a neurotoxic venom. The venom is rarely deadly to healthy humans but causes severe muscle cramps, vomiting, and pain. Black widows build messy cobwebs in dark corners, garages, and wood piles. They eat insects, other spiders, and occasionally small vertebrates that become trapped in their webs.
Black Solider Flies
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is a common fly species whose larvae are used for composting food waste and as livestock feed. The adult flies are about 1⁄2 inch long with dark black-blue bodies and transparent wings. The larvae are cream-colored, reaching just under an inch long when mature. They voraciously consume decaying organic matter. The prepupae stage of the larvae are nutritious and contain up to 42% protein and 35% fat on a dry matter basis. Black soldier flies naturally reduce manure and food residues while producing protein.
Crustaceans
Freshwater Crayfish
Numerous species of crayfish have an overall black color. The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) has a greenish-black body with lighter black marbling. Endemic to streams in Florida, the Everglades crayfish (Procambarus alleni) is solid black with red-tipped claws. Australian giant black crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) are the largest freshwater invertebrate in Australia, growing up to 4 pounds. Crayfish use their clawed limbs to catch live prey, eat detritus, and defend territories. Their black color helps conceal them against dark substrates.
Coconut Crabs
The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod, reaching over 3 feet across. These giant hermit crabs inhabit islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Adults weigh up to 9 pounds and live up to 60 years. Their thick black exoskeletons help retain moisture in their land habitats and protect them from falls. Coconut crabs use their large claws to crack coconuts and other hard food like tortoises. They are omnivores that also scavenge carrion and refuse. These impressive crustaceans can climb trees and cliffs in search of food.
Freshwater Shrimp
Various small freshwater shrimp species are black in coloration. The vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis), native to African streams and aquariums, is bluish-black with a red stripe. Tiny black bee shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) have a glossy black body with white and orange markings. The black tiger shrimp (Caridina cantonensis sp. Tiger) has striking black and white banding. These omnivorous filter feeders graze on algae, biofilms, and detritus in tropical waters. Their dark color helps conceal them against dark substrates.
Conclusion
Across the animal kingdom, black is a common and important color expressed in the fur, feathers, scales or exoskeletons of species. For some nocturnal animals like black panthers and giant salamanders, the black coloration aids in concealment during hunting and capturing prey. Other diurnal species use black to absorb heat (insects, reptiles) or denote dominance (ravens, crows). The natural black coloration helps many species camouflage against dark backgrounds as protection from predators. There are certainly many more examples of beautiful black wild animals not described here. In general, black is an important color expressed across taxa that serves critical functions in survival and adaptation.
