Nature never ceases to impress us because, alongside many different kinds of species that you can discover in the wild, there are also many animals with patterns that you may see, adding more beauty to the natural surroundings. However, these animals use these patterns for practical purposes, including camouflage, hunting, and mating.
16 Animals with patterns
From the candy cane snail’s vibrant stripes to the zebra’s black and white design, let’s take a look at some of the animals with distinctive patterns in the wild.
1. Zebra
Scientific Name: Equus quagga
The distinctive black-and-white striped pattern of zebras easily distinguishes them, making them among the most recognizable animals. The medium-sized species, which is closely related to horses, is one you can find across southern and eastern Africa.
Their height ranges from 4 to 5 feet tall, while the width and orientation of their stripes vary, depending on the specific subspecies. As a result of genetics and adaptations, each zebra has distinct markings that make it impossible to find two that are exactly alike.
2. Giraffe
Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis
The giraffe, known as the tallest living terrestrial animal in the world, primarily inhabits the south of the Sahara in Africa. Its spotted coat makes it stand out among the others in the savanna, grassland, and open woodland habitats.
The males of this species typically reach a height of 18 to 20 feet, while the females are slightly shorter, standing at 3 feet less in height. Since they’re easy to spot in their habitat, the patterns on their skin help with camouflaging.
3. Cheetah
Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus
If you’ve ever been in the African grasslands or deserts and you’ve noticed an animal with patterns on its skin, you’ve probably seen a cheetah. This terrestrial carnivore has slender legs and a fur coat with a background color of pale yellow, gray, or fawn that’s adorned with scattered black spots. Their lifespan ranges from 6 to 8 years, and they have a carnivorous diet, with gazelles making up a significant portion of their food consumption.
4. Ladybug
Scientific Name: Coccinella novemnotata
Having distinctive spots on their red, oval bodies, ladybugs are among the lovely insects you might see in your garden. You might discover these little animals scattered across various parts of the world, preferring forests, gardens, weed patches, and vacant lots filled with weeds.
The number of their spots depends on each species, but their primary function is to protect the ladybug from predators. These vibrant colors act as a deterrent, warning predators that consuming them would result in an unpleasant taste.
5. Sea turtle
Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
Many individuals also have a deep fascination with exploring the mysterious depths of the ocean, where they eagerly encounter a wide range of marine creatures. Among these lovely beings, sea turtles hold a special place in the hearts of many.
These sea creatures are easily noticeable due to their elegant swimming and distinctive shell patterns. Long before the shell bones of these species begin to ossify, these markings begin to take shape on the epidermis, and it’s possible that the underlying dermis of the reptile plays a significant part in this process as well.
6. Tiger
Scientific Name: Panthera tigris
The tiger, which is the largest cat species, receives high appreciation for its striking pattern. This big cat has vibrant orange fur with distinct dark vertical stripes, while its belly showcases a shade of white. It actively hunts prey such as deer and wild boar, establishing its place as a top predator.
As a solitary species, you can see them roaming in their vast territory in solitude. Just like any other animal, tigers use these markings to camouflage themselves in their surroundings, which greatly helps in their hunting in the wild.
7. Boa Constrictors
Scientific Name: Boa constrictor
Wherever you live in the world, snakes are common animals that you might see frequently. You might also notice that these species have various patterns on their bodies.
The boa constrictor, a snake commonly found in Central and South America, is among those that display a unique pattern with a creamy or brown background covered by distinct dark “saddle-shaped” bands. This adaptable coloration also helps with effective camouflage, both for hiding from predators and for hunting.
8. Peacock
Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus
Peacocks, which are native to India, Sri Lanka, and surrounding regions, draw a lot of attention with their stunning patterns. With a train of iridescent feathers, males display a fan of vibrant colors, including blues, golds, browns, and greens, with eyespots.
Females have a more subdued appearance, whereas chicks display lighter hues. Despite their striking appearance, they blend into their surroundings effortlessly due to their cautious nature, and they easily adapt to the presence of humans.
9. Jaguar
Scientific Name: Panthera onca
The jaguar, with its distinctive patterned coat, is another big cat you can find in the Americas with intricate markings. They’re the largest cat in the Americas, measuring up to 6 feet in length and weighing 348 pounds.
The coat of these animals ranges in color from pale yellow to reddish-brown, with distinctive dark rosette-shaped spots that are scattered across their body. With their remarkable predatory abilities, they’re known as an apex predator in their habitat.
10. Clownfish
Scientific Name: Amphiprion ocellaris
One of the stunning marine animals you might come across is the clownfish, a colorful fish native to the waters of Asia and Australia. It stands out with its vibrant shades of orange and reddish-brown, as three white bands outlined in black accent its head and body. The colorful stripes of this species serve a purpose beyond aesthetics as they help distinguish between dominant and submissive individuals and to protect themselves from predators.
11. Coral snakes
Scientific Name: Micrurus fulvius
The coral snakes, with their distinctive black, red, and yellow bands, have highly venomous characteristics that captivate the attention of observers. You can find them in a variety of woodland environments, where they spend their time either underground or among organic matter. These snake species also use their pattern to camouflage themselves in their environment, and it also helps in distinguishing them from non-venomous snakes like scarlet snakes.
12. Candy cane snail
Scientific Name: Liguus virgineus
Snails are another type of animal that you might come across, and some of them have intricate patterns on their shells. One particular snail that stands out from the others is the candy cane snail.
This snail is called the Candy Cane Snail due to its 3 to 6 vibrant spiraling stripes, which come in various shades, such as brown, black, pink, green, purple, or light yellow. It resembles the design you see on candy canes, hence the name. The snail spends its days in trees, munching on lichens and small branches.
13. Gila Monster
Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum
The gila monster is a striking lizard with a pattern-like appearance that features black scales and an array of orange stripes and spots. The bright colors of its skin serve as a warning to potential predators that it is venomous and should not be messed with.
In fact, the gila monster is one of only two venomous lizards in the world. Its venom is used to subdue prey and defend against predators. Despite its fearsome reputation, the gila monster is a slow-moving and docile creature that spends much of its time underground in burrows.
14. Poison Dart Frog
Scientific name: Dendrobatidae
Poison dart frogs are small, brightly colored amphibians that come in a variety of patterns and colors. Their striking appearance serves as a warning to potential predators that they are toxic and should not be eaten. In fact, the poison from some species of dart frogs is so potent that it has been used by indigenous peoples in South America to coat the tips of blow darts used for hunting.
Despite their name, not all species of poison dart frogs are actually poisonous. The bright colors of their skin are also used to attract mates. Interestingly, the specific pattern and coloration of each species of dart frog is unique to their geographic location, making them a fascinating example of evolution at work.
15. Harlequin Filefish
Scientific name: Oxymonacanthus longirostris
The harlequin filefish is a small, colorful fish with a remarkable pattern-like appearance that includes bright blue and yellow spots on its body. This unique coloration serves a dual purpose in the fish’s lifestyle.
Firstly, it helps the harlequin filefish blend in with the coral reefs where it lives, making it more difficult for predators to spot. Secondly, the fish is able to change its coloration to match its surroundings, allowing it to blend in even better. This ability to change color is a form of camouflage that helps the harlequin filefish avoid detection by predators.
Additionally, the fish is able to disguise its smell to smell like coral instead of fish, further enhancing its ability to hide from predators.
16. Okapi
Scientific name: Okapia johnstoni
The Okapi is a unique forest-dwelling mammal with a distinctive pattern of stripes on its hindquarters and legs. The intricate design of the stripes serves an important purpose in the okapi’s lifestyle by helping it blend in with its surroundings and avoid detection by predators. The stripes are thought to mimic the patterns of sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, making the okapi difficult to spot among the dappled shadows.
Sources:
- “How The Turtle Gets Its Shell”, J. A. Cebra-Thomas A. C. Burke, Biology Of Turtles, 2008, works.swarthmore.edu
- “Researchers find colorful stripes of clownfish may help separate the dominant and submissive”, C. Testa, ABC Far North, November 8, 2022, abc.net.au
- “HARLEQUIN FILEFISH USES SMELL TO FOOL PREDATORS”, Kate Stone, Science Connected Magazine, December 14, 2014, mgazine.scienceconnected.org
Louise writes about a wide variety of topics including wildlife, animals, and nature. She’s developed a growing interest in animal biology and categorization due to her fascination with how they interact with one another and with their surroundings.