None More Black Trivia Quiz

Answer: black rhinoceros

The smaller of the two species of rhinoceros native to Africa, the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is one of the world's heaviest land mammals, with adult males often reaching weights in excess of 1,400 kg (3,100 lb). It is also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros because of the distinctive shape of its mouth, adapted for browsing trees and shrubs in the African savanna. Despite its name, the black rhino is not actually black, but rather brown or grey. It has two large, sharply pointed horns: the front horn can grow longer than 1 m (3.2 ft). Due to its very aggressive temperament as well as its huge size, it is best left alone, as it has been known to charge at the slightest provocation.

The black rhino is native to East and Southern Africa, though in the past it used to be found as far north as Chad, Niger and Sudan. Of its eight subspecies, three are extinct. In the early 20th century, it had the largest population of all rhino species, but by the early 21st century its numbers had plummeted to barely above 2,000 individuals. Though the total African population has recovered since then, the species - threatened by poaching, habitat loss and political unrest - is classified by IUCN as Critically Endangered (2020).

Answer: black mamba

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is one of the most feared of all venomous snakes - with very good reason. This snake of the family Elapidae (which also includes cobras, coral snakes and most Australian venomous snakes) normally reaches a length of 3 m (9.8 ft), though longer specimens have been reported. A denizen of the savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, the black mamba is both arboreal and terrestrial and can move on the ground with a speed of 16 km/h (10 mph), albeit for short distances.

Like other "black" animals, the black mamba is grey to dark brown rather than black: it owes its common name to the black lining of its mouth, which it shows in threat displays. Its head has often been described as coffin-shaped - a rather apt description for a snake possessed of one of the most powerful and fast-acting venoms in nature. Black mamba venom is primarily neurotoxic and almost 100% fatal unless antivenom is promptly administered. This, along with its speed, size and generally aggressive disposition, makes the black mamba one of Africa's most dangerous animals.

Answer: black swan

The black swan (Cygnus atratus) is native to Australia. It is the emblem and official bird of Western Australia, the country's largest state and the world's second-largest administrative division. It is, however, more common in the wetland areas of eastern Australia and Tasmania. Some of the largest populations of black swans are found in the Murray-Darling basin. This large waterbird has also been introduced to New Zealand, Japan, China and Europe. Like all swans, the black swan belongs to the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes, which also includes ducks and geese. A highly nomadic bird, which will move from drier to wetter areas to nest in the winter months, it is herbivorous and feeds on a wide range of aquatic and marshland plants.

The black swan is covered with black feathers, though its flight feathers are white; it has a bright red bill with a white tip and greyish-black legs and feet. Males tend to be larger than females, though not considerably so. With a wingspan that can reach 2 m (6.6 ft) in mature individuals, the black swan also has the longest neck of any swan species. Classified by IUCN as Least Concern (2018), this magnificent waterbird - which in popular culture has become synonymous with an exceedingly rare, unexpected event - is protected in all Australian states and territories.

Answer: blackbuck

The only living member of its genus, the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an antelope species found mainly in India and Nepal, where it inhabits grasslands and thinly forested areas near water sources. The blackbuck is characterized by its two-toned coat, with white belly, inner legs, ears and tail and a darker upper body - which is dark brown to black in males and tan or yellowish-brown in females. Males also have corkscrew-shaped horns that can grow as long as 75 cm (30 in). Blackbucks are diurnal grazers that live in herds of variable sizes; they are also among the fastest land mammals, capable of reaching a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).

Though classified by IUCN as Least Concern (2016), the species is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and its numbers have been adversely impacted by excessive hunting, habitat loss and natural disasters. Now hunting of these animals is prohibited in India and most of them live in protected areas. The blackbuck also has an important role in Indian culture. Depicted on the coats of arms of several princely states, it is also the vehicle ("vahana") of Vayu, the Hindu god of the wind.

Answer: black flying fox

Flying foxes are fruit-eating (frugivorous) bats in the family Pteropodidae. The members of this family are also known as megabats because of their impressive size, though the family also includes several smaller species. The common name "flying fox" stems from the resemblance of these mammals' faces with those of foxes or other canids. They are found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania. Unlike other bat species, flying foxes do not use echolocation but rely on their keen sight to navigate. Though beneficial to the environment for their role in seed dispersal, these bats are also sources of diseases that can occasionally be transmitted to humans.

The black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) is one of the world's largest bats, with a wingspan of over 1 m (39 in) and a body covered in short black hair. It is native to the coastal areas of northern Australia, as well as parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Black flying foxes roost in forested areas, where they feed on fruit, nectar and pollen, and are often found in residential areas. Though listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2017), the species is threatened by habitat loss. It is also very vulnerable to heat stress, which is a serious issue in the light of the increased frequency of extreme temperature events.

Answer: black marlin

Highly prized as a big game fish, the black marlin (Istiompax indica) belongs to the Istiophoridae, a family of bony fish (Teleostei) that also includes the Atlantic sailfish. All the species in this family are among the largest bony fish, with elongated bodies, a long, rigid dorsal fin that forms a kind of crest and a spear-like bill. They are also known as very fast swimmers, though some of the incredible speeds that have been reported are dubious.

The largest member of the marlin family, the black marlin is the world's fastest fish, with a maximum recorded speed of 129 km/h (80 mph). It is somewhat stockier than other marlin species and lacks their distinctive vertical stripes. Its pectoral fin is also rigid and cannot be folded against its body. This massive fish can be nearly 5 m (16.4 ft) long and weigh over 700 kg (1,500 lb). Adult females are larger than males. The black marlin is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans; it is an apex predator that feeds mainly on other fish and cephalopods. Due to its migratory nature, the current conservation status of the black marlin is unknown.

Answer: black widow spider

The spiders in the genus Latrodectus of the family Theridiidae (the cobweb spiders) are commonly known as widows because of their practice of sexual cannibalism - that is, females eating the males after mating. Widely distributed, widow spiders are small and dark-coloured; females are characterized by reddish markings on their abdomen that take different shapes. Despite their diminutive size, female widows possess unusually large venom glands and a potent, neurotoxic venom that can be dangerous to humans.

The best-known members of the genus Latrodectus are the North American black widows, in particular the southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans), the European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, the type species) and the Australian redback (Latrodectus hasseltii). The southern black widow is distinguished by its glossy black body and red hourglass markings; it is found in the southeastern US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Though black widows are widely feared, their very painful bite is unlikely to cause death in healthy adults; children and pets, however, are more at risk. Fortunately, antivenom has been available for several decades.

Answer: Asian black bear

Also known as the moon bear, the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a medium-sized bear native to Asia. Once widespread throughout the continent, it is now patchily distributed, with seven subspecies that occur from southeastern Iran to the Russian Far East and the Japanese islands of Shikoku and Honshu. These bears inhabit forested areas at relatively high altitudes. Like most bear species, they are omnivorous but feed mainly on plant matter.

The Asian black bear is almost invariably black or dark brown, with a light brown muzzle and a distinctive, V-shaped whitish patch on the chest. Though it superficially resembles the American black bear, the Asian black bear has longer, shaggier fur around the neck and its body is adapted for climbing trees - where it spends most of its life. It is usually shy and avoids human contact whenever possible. However, the species tends to be more aggressive than its American counterpart, and in some parts of its range attacks against humans - occasionally fatal - are relatively frequent. In recent years, Japan has seen an increase in black bear attacks. On the other hand, humans pose a much greater danger to Asian black bears than the other way around, as the species is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2020).

Answer: black vulture

Pictured in the cover photo, the black vulture (Coragyps atratus) belongs to the family Cathartidae, the New World vultures, which also includes the majestic condors. The only extant member of its genus, it is somewhat smaller than other vultures, with an average wingspan of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). As its name suggests, the black vulture has glossy black plumage like that of corvids: indeed, its generic name means "raven-vulture". Like in most other vulture species, its head and neck are devoid of feathers and covered with wrinkled, dark grey skin.

The black vulture is widespread throughout its range, which includes the mid-Atlantic and southern states of the US, Mexico, Central America and most of South America. Its preferred habitat is relatively open areas with scattered trees and available water sources where to bathe after feeding. Though primarily a scavenger, the black vulture occasionally takes eggs and small live prey, as well as newborn or sick animals. Black vultures are often found in large groups, especially near garbage dumps, and are considered a potential threat to air traffic safety. Listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2025), the black vulture is protected in the US and Mexico.

The much larger (and distantly related) cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) is occasionally referred to as Eurasian black vulture.

Answer: black caiman

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is the largest member of the alligator family (Alligatoridae) and the third-largest crocodile species in the Americas. Adults can grow to a length of over 6 m (19.6 ft) and weigh over 450 kg (1,100 lb). Mature individuals are usually greenish black in colour, with faint yellow-white banding on the body. Like other alligators, the black caiman has a large, heavy head, which allows it to catch prey as large as various ungulate species and river dolphins.

The only extant member of its genus, the black caiman is native to the Amazon basin, sharing this habitat with other apex predators - notably the jaguar and the green anaconda. While the black caiman occasionally preys on both species, jaguars and anacondas prey on juvenile or smaller-sized caimans. With its huge size and powerful jaws, this crocodilian is also potentially dangerous to humans. Though fatal attacks have been recorded, the species is nowhere as aggressive towards humans as the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) or the Nile crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus). The black caiman is listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2025), even if hunting for leather and meat remains an issue.