The world of wildlife is often depicted in vivid colors. However, there are also animals that have a more monotonous and darker appearance when there is only one black color on the body.

The Eastern indigo snake is a snake that is usually black all over, non-venomous, and is the longest native snake in North America.

Black Swan . Possessing a beautiful and graceful appearance, black swans often live in the wetlands of southwest and eastern Australia, and throughout Tasmania. The black swan’s bright red beak provides a striking contrast to the animal’s jet-black plumage.

The American crow is a common crow species in much of the United States and Canada. When mature, this bird is completely black from beak to tail, except for brown eyes. Crows are said to be one of the most intelligent birds and can live in many different environments.

A rare and unique species, the Indonesian chicken breed known as Ayam Cemani is famous because everything in its body, from the tongue to the comb, even the meat, bones and internal organs are black or gray.

American black bear. Black bears are the most familiar and common bear species in North America. They are also the smallest and most widely distributed bear species on the continent.

Black Panther. Black panthers are commonly found in the tropical forests of India, the Far East and South America.

Black Wolf. Black wolves appear largely in North America, Europe and some areas in Asia. This animal possesses sparkling amber eyes.

Black carpenter ants . Distinguished from other species of carpenter ants by the dull black color of their heads and bodies, black carpenter ants also possess a formidable set of teeth that can bite very hard. This animal is native to the Central and Eastern United States as well as Eastern Canada.

Black squirrels occur largely throughout North America and the UK. This animal’s distinctive appearance is due to crossbreeding between gray squirrels and Eastern fox squirrels.

Short pilot whales have relatively small bodies and black to dark gray skin. Short-finned pilot whales have short flippers and live mainly in warm tropical and subtropical waters.

Black widow spiders are one of the most venomous spiders in the world. The crimson hourglass-shaped markings on the underside of the abdomen are the only contrast to the animal’s jet black color.

The plumage, legs and beak of the petrel (tube-nosed seabird) are all black, except for a lighter-colored part of the beak. Black Petrels nest only in New Zealand, breeding on Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island, off the North Island.

Pictured is a king penguin with black plumage on South Georgia, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean.