Exploring the Enigma of 30 Animals with Black Eyes

When we think about eyes, for example, human eyes exhibit varieties of coloration, like black and different shades of brown, blue, and green.

Not only humans, but other animals also exhibit different colorations of eyes, from black to yellow.

Eyes play a very important role not only in vision but also in animal appearance.

In this article, we primarily focused on the animals that have black eyes. So here are the 30 animals with black eyes.

30 Animals with Black Eyes

1. Black-eyed leaf frog

Black-eyed leaf frog
Black-eyed leaf frog | Credit: Vladlen Henríquez (commons.wikimedia) CC BY 2.5
Scientific name Agalychnis moreletii
Habitat moist subtropical lowland mountainous forests and wetland
Size 5.5 to 8.5 cm
Diet insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates

Morelet’s tree frog, black-eyed leaf frog, and Popeye Hyla are some of the common names of Agalychnis moreletii.

They are known for their bright green coloration and bulging black eyes.

You can spot them in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, inhabiting moist subtropical lowland mountainous forests and wetlands.

Their mating behavior is fascinating: females are drawn to males that have the loudest and longest mating calls.


2. Black-headed grosbeak

Black-headed grosbeak
Black-headed grosbeak
Scientific name Pheucticus melanocephalus
Habitat suburbs, desert thickets, and mountain forests
Size 7.1-7.5 in (18-19 cm)
Diet Mostly insects, seeds, and berries

Let’s move on to the second animal on our list, which is the black-headed grosbeak.

This creature has such an alluring appearance that it might instantly win you over as a fan.

These species’ females are quite dull-colored, but the males have a conspicuous black head, black wings, and a tail with white spots.

Black eyes are a common characteristic of them. What about them most delights me, you know? It’s the hue of their eggs.

They lay pale, blue, or gray eggs in their open saucer-shaped nest.


3. Harbor Seals

Harbor Seals
Harbor Seals
Scientific name
Phoca vitulina
Habitat Coastal waters and rocky shores
Size up to  1.85 m (6.1 ft)
Diet Fish, Squid, Octopus, Lobsters, and Eels

This small creature of the northern hemisphere has a distinctive V-shaped nose, a rounded head, and big black eyes.

Harbor seals haul out and rest on rocks, reefs, beaches, and drifting glacial ice during their rest hours.

They exhibit a range of coloration, from brownish black to tan or grey, with certain spots.

They do not have external ears, which is characteristic of seals; only ear canals are visible behind their eyes.


4. American Crow

American Crow
American Crow
Scientific name Corvus brachyrhynchos
Habitat Woodlands, farms, fields, river groves, shores, and towns
Size 15.8–20.9 in. (40–53 cm)
Diet typically earthworms, insects, and other small animals, seeds, and fruit

Corvus brachyrhynchos, or American crow, is commonly found in North America. With 40–50 cm (16–20 in) length and all black iridescent feathers or black eyes.

Males in these species are larger than females. They are the bioindicators of the West Nile virus to see how much the virus is spreading.

These omnivorous animals like to feed primarily on earthworms, insects, other small animals, seeds, and fruit.

They are considered as intelligent as humans and are highly cunning. Just think about themselves.


5. Raven

Raven
Raven
Scientific name Corvus corax
Habitat woodlands, usually in coniferous forests and along rocky coastlines
Size  54 to 71 cm (21 to 28 in)
Diet From small mammals to nesting birds, eggs and berries

I assume you’re wondering why I used a crow once more. But these are ravens, though they belong to the same genus and also share similarities with the American crow. But they differ from them in terms of size and other characteristics.

The most common thing that they share is their black eyes.

A wide range of vocalizations can be seen in this creature, like mimicking human sounds, whistles, etc.

They are omnivorous, and their diet depends on the location, season, etc. They have the largest brains in the class, which makes them amazing.


6. Orca

Orca
Orca
Scientific name Orcinus orca
Habitat from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas
Size 5 to 8 m
Diet fish, seals, squid, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, whale calves, and sea birds

They are commonly known as killer whales because of their tendency to hunt and prey on larger whales.

This largest member of the oceanic dolphin butterfly is found in all marine environments, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.

Females are smaller as compared to males. They have an intriguing black and white body with a white underjaw and beautiful black eyes.

They are the apex predators, and people often call them wolves of the sea as they hunt in groups. Cannibalism is also seen in them.


7. A red-faced spider monkey

Red-faced spider monkey
Red-faced spider monkey
Scientific name Ateles paniscus
Habitat Rainforest canopy
Size 16-24 inches
Diet Fruits, young leaves, flowers, young seeds, floral buds, roots, bark, honey, and small insects such as termites and caterpillars

Have you ever seen a monkey with a red face? No, then let me introduce you to the Ateles paniscus, which is commonly known by many names like red-faced spider monkey, Guiana spider monkey, or red-faced black spider monkey.

This vulnerable species can be spotted in the rainforest canopy of northern South America, from Brazil to Venezuela.

As you can see in the picture, their whole body is covered with black hair, and they also have a red face with characteristic black eyes.

You can find them eating a wide variety of things, like fruits, young leaves, flowers, young seeds, floral buds, roots, bark, honey, and small insects such as termites and caterpillars.


8. Black Mamba

Black mamba
Black mamba
Scientific name Dendroaspis polylepis
Habitat light woodland, scrub, rocky outcrops, and semi-arid savanna
Size 2 to 3 m (6 ft. 7 in. to 9 ft. 10 in.)
Diet Small vertebrates like birds, rodents, bats, hyraxes and bushbabies

Black mamba sounds dangerous, right? Let me tell you, they are the second most venomous snake after the king cobra. You must be wondering, like me, why they are called black mamba even though they are not black in color.

They are called so because of their mouth interior, which is dark bluish-grey to nearly black.

These diurnal snakes exhibit both terrestrial and arboreal habitats. They are very quick, and you can’t even predict their next move.

The most attractive thing I found in them was their big black eyes. When these snakes bite, the person needs quick treatment, as their venom is neurotoxic and can lead to death in 10 minutes.


9. Eastern Black Rhino

Eastern Black Rhino
Eastern Black Rhino
Scientific name Diceros bicornis michaeli
Habitat highland forest and savanna habitat
Size 2.8–3.75 m (9.2–12.3 ft.)
Diet leafy plants, branches, shoots, thorny wood bushes, and fruit

The Eastern black rhinoceros or the East African black rhinoceros are common names of Diceros bicornis michaeli. They have a more curved horn than other subspecies of black rhino.

Not only their horn but also their black eyes make them intriguing. Generally, they go for a food search at night or during dusk and dawn.

They are herbivorous and primarily feed on leafy plants, branches, and shoots, thorny wood bushes, and fruit.

Their numbers are decreasing so fast that the IUCN included them in the list of critically endangered species.


10. Black skimmer

Black skimmer
Black skimmer
Scientific name Rynchops niger
Habitat coastal areas, usually around sandy beaches and islands
Size 40–50 cm (16–20 in)
Diet Mostly fish

These fish-eating birds are commonly found in North and South America. With a size of 40 to 50 cm, they become the largest of all the skimmer species.

Let’s talk about their appearance. They are black in color with a white underside and a red or black beak.

Their black eyes look so enthralling that it makes you wow at the sight. Their long and slender beaks give them the advantage of skimming over the water surface and grabbing food.


11. Guinea Pigs

Scientific name Cavia porcellus
Habitat grassland habits
Size 8-10 inches (20-25 centimeters)
Diet Hay and grass

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are popular among pet lovers. They have a distinctive face, short legs, and small ears.

As you can see, these rodents have jet black eyes, irrespective of sex. Popcorning is so evident in them, which means they hope a little when they feel happy.


12. Black Grouse

Black Grouse
Black Grouse
Scientific name Lyrurus tetrix
Habitat forest, steppe, heathland, grassland and pasture 
Size 45 to 60 cm
Diet buds, shoots, grass, and berries

Have you ever seen a bird sport? Yeah, you heard me right—a sport that involves birds.

The bird we are going to talk about is one of those game birds that are hunted for sports.

Black grouses are the largest game bird of all. The thing that attracts me most about them is their plumage.

They are black in color with a white wingline, and there is a red spot on both of their eyes. Their black, glossy eyes are no less. You can spot them all across Europe and Russia.


13. Black Salamander

Black Salamander
Black Salamander
Scientific name Salamandra atra
Habitat underneath stones or in rocky crevices in their mountainous habitat
Size 144 to 151 mm
Diet beetles, snails, millipedes, and spiders

I just saw the picture and appreciate the beauty of nature.

These black salamanders are common in the mountain range of the French Alps and in Europe.

They exhibit melanism, which gives them a predominantly black appearance with enchanting black eyes.

They release some scent to mark their territory; females return to their home, but males enter another territory.

Juvenile forms of certain snakes love to feed on them.


14. Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk
Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk
Scientific name Conepatus humboldtii
Habitat Open grassy habitats to shrubs, forests, and mountainous areas
Size 19.7 to 23.6 inches
Diet Insects, rodents and carrion

Aren’t their black eyes beautiful? People know Conepatus humboldtii by some common names, like Patagonian hog-nosed skunk and Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk, etc.

They got these common names due to their upturned or hog-like snout. Two white stripes run along the dorsal surface of their brown body.

One can find them running in the open grassy areas of the Patagonian regions of South Argentina.

These omnivorous animals primarily feed on insects, rodents, and carrion.


15. Mallard

Mallard
Mallard
Scientific name Anas platyrhynchos
Habitat Both fresh- and salt-water wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes and estuaries,
Size 50–65 cm (20–26 in)
Diet Gastropods, insects, crustaceans, other arthropods, worms, many varieties of seeds and plant matter, and roots and tubers

Mallards are so beautiful and elegant that they will make you curious.

They exhibit dramatic sexual dimorphism and metallic black eyes.

Males have a glassy green head with a white collar, whereas females somewhat exhibit dull plumage with a dark brown color.

They are commonly found in the Americas, Eurasia, North Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.


16. Black Guillemot

Black Guillemot
Black Guillemot | Credit: DickDaniels (commons.wikimedia) CC BY 3.0
Scientific name Cepphus grylle
Habitat Rocky ocean coasts and islands
Size 30 to 32 centimeters
Diet Small fish, crabs, worms, and mollusks

Look at their red feet; they look fascinating, right? Let me introduce you to these red-footed animals, i.e., the black guillemot.

When you see these creatures, they have black plumage, a large white patch on the upper side of their wings, and a black beak or eyes.

You can find them on the northern Atlantic coasts and the eastern North American coasts. They got their food by diving in the ocean.


17. German yellow jacket wasp

Scientific name Vespula germanica
Habitat underground or in hollow logs, tree stumps, attics, between walls
Size up to 13 mm 
Diet honey, brood, dead and live honey-bees.

Because German yellow jacket wasps and honeybees have similar appearances, people occasionally confuse the two.

They have a distinctive yellow and black striped pattern on their abdomen with shiny metallic black eyes.

By imitating their aggressive and stinging behavior other insects shields themselves from their predators.


18. House Mouse

House Mouse
House Mouse
Scientific name Mus musculus
Habitat agricultural fields, forests, and urban areas
Size 7.5–10 centimeters (3–4 in)
Diet seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, and small insects

People frequently adopt these creatures as pets or lab mice.

They are out and about in your area, even at home, jogging and walking.

They have developed to be able to live in a variety of environments, from residential skyscrapers to sandy dunes.

In terms of appearance, they come in a variety of hues, including champagne, black, white, and black with black doe eyes.


19. Oriental Bay Owl

Oriental Bay Owl
Oriental Bay Owl
Scientific name Phodilus badius
Habitat Tropical evergreen forests
Size 22.5–29 cm
Diet Small rodents, bats, birds, snakes, frogs, lizards, magpies, and large arthropods such as beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders

Oriental bay owls are known for their heart-shaped faces and large, bulging black eyes.

They are commonly found all across Southeast Asia, but they are not very well known as they are rarely seen by people.

They are adapted in such an extraordinary way that they have the ability to survive 100 percent of the time.

High-pitched whistle sounds are so common in them, other than their hooting.


20. Meerkats

Meerkats
Meerkats
Scientific name Suricata suricatta
Habitat Savannahs, open plains, and rocky areas 
Size 24–35 cm (9.4–13.8 in)
Diet Beetles, butterflies, eggs, amphibians, reptiles, small birds, plants and seeds

A broad head, large black eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin, tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern are the characteristic features of Suricata suricatta.

They are so vigilant that they immediately hide in their burrows in the event of danger.

Their diet is primarily composed of insects like beetles, butterflies, arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, small birds, plants, and seeds.

Their highly evolved thermoregulating mechanism aids in their survival in the hostile desert environment.


21. Adélie penguin

Scientific name Pygoscelis adeliae
Habitat rocky, ice-free coasts
Size 18”-28” (46-71 cm)
Diet Antarctic Krill fishes, Antarctic silverfish, Squids, and Jellyfish

Take a peek at their eyes; don’t they appear lovely? They are attractive because of their white eye ring encircling their dark black eyes. 

They are commonly found on rocky, ice-free coasts in Antarctica. They exhibit migratory behavior; when they are about to breed, they migrate to the seashore for ice-free areas.

Antarctic krill fish, as well as some Antarctic silverfish, squids, and jellyfish, are highly favored by them.


22. Blanc de Hotot 

Scientific name Oryctolagus cuniculus
Habitat wooded areas such as forests and hedgerows
Size 15–17 inches (38–43 centimeters) 
Diet grass hay, like meadow, oat, or Timothy hay

Blanc de Hotot is another animal that has black eyes.

The greatest characteristics of the Blanc de Hotot are its black eye markings and white fur.

They are popular among bunny enthusiasts because of their kind and obedient disposition.

They were highly well-known at first for their flesh.


23. Giant Panda

Panda
Panda
Scientific name Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Habitat Bamboo forests
Size 1.2 to 1.9 meters
Diet Primarily Bamboo and other grasses, wild tubers, or even meat in the form of birds, rodents, or carrion

These black-and-white creatures are very common in the bamboo forests of China.

These bear-shaped animals exhibit disruptive coloration and huge black eyes, which makes them unique.

Despite being carnivorans, their diet is composed of plants, primarily bamboo leaves and shoots.

They developed many anti-toxic mechanisms as their diet contained a high amount of cyanide.

You can find pandas lazying around all day except for dawn and dusk.


24. Ayam Cemani

Ayam Cemani
Ayam Cemani
Scientific name Ayam Cemani
Habitat Tropical climates
Size up to 12.5 cm
Diet Grains, seeds, vegetation, insects, grubs, fruit, and vegetables

Ever observed a chicken with an all-black appearance? It sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? There are actual chickens like this.

Allow me to present Ayam Cemani to you. This native of Indonesia suffers from fibromelanosis, a hereditary disorder that causes all of their feathers, bones, internal organs, blood, and eyes to be black.

You can see that they are steady, silent flyers, and they are highly clever and energetic.


25. Black rat snake

Scientific name
Pantherophis obsoletus
Habitat  bayou, prairie, and rock outcrops
Size 106.5–183 cm (3 ft. 6 in – 6 ft. 0 in)
Diet meat, bone, offal, and a small amount of plant ingredients

Western rat snakeblack rat snakepilot black snake, or simply black snake are some of the common names of Pantherophis obsoletus. 

Their juvenile forms are grayish in color with distinct blotches. As they grow older, they turn a glossy black color and have shiny black eyes.

They mimic the sound of a rattlesnake, but instead of biting, they suffocate their victim until they die.


26. Raccoon 

Raccoon
Raccoon
Scientific name Procyon lotor
Habitat wooded areas near streams, ponds, and marshes
Size 23 to 38 inches
Diet nuts, berries, fruits, corn, and grains

Dexterous front paws are the most distinctive features of raccoons. They look like medium-sized bears.

The black fur on their faces looks like a mask that surrounds their black eyes.

One can spot them in Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the United States, in advertising from cold grasslands to warm, tropical areas.

I got to know about the most interesting thing about their cubs: that they usually chatter, whine, or tweet like birds when they feel hungry.


27. Powder Blue Surgeonfish

Scientific name Acanthurus leucosternon
Habitat Tropical water sources
Size Up to 23 cm (9 in)
Diet Mostly algae

Blue surgeonfish, powder blue tang, and powder-blue surgeonfish are some of the common names of Acanthurus leucosternon.

Their erect spine portion is situated near the base of the tail, and it has a look similar to the scalpel of a doctor.

This diurnal surgeonfish strikes other fish with aggression and a gloomy demeanor.

People can easily find them in the Indian Ocean.

They have a small mouth, a crescent-shaped body, black eyes, and transparent pectoral fins, which are some of their appearance traits.


28. Black moor goldfish

Black moor goldfish
Black moor goldfish
Scientific name
Carassius auratus
Habitat Fresh inland waters and wetlands in temperate regions
Size Up to 30 cm
Diet Insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, plants, and eggs of insects

Black moor goldfish are known for their large, protruding, black eyes.

They can attain a large size of up to 30 cm and can live for 15 to 20 years.

Bloodworm, Mysis, and Daphnia are the primary food sources for this fish.

They usually mate when the temperature starts elevating.

Not only black coloration but also blue, chocolate, red, white, red cap, white, yellow, and calico can also occur.


29. Black capped squirrel monkey

Scientific name Saimiri boliviensis
Habitat lowland tropical rain forests and gallery forests
Size 225 to 370 mm
Diet fruits, insects, eggs, small vertebrates, arachnids, leaves, flowers, nuts, seeds, and rarely fungi

The black-capped squirrel monkey’s name comes from its distinctive black head and white circles surrounding its intense black eyes, which some have dubbed the Roman arch.

You can spot these creatures in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. They can leap a significant distance—roughly one to two meters—quite effortlessly.

These omnivorous animals love to eat fruits, insects, eggs, small vertebrates, arachnids, leaves, flowers, nuts, seeds, and rarely fungi.


30. Eurasian penduline tit

Scientific name Remiz pendulinus
Habitat lakeside and riverine swampy vegetation
Size 10–11.5 cm
Diet Seeds, insects and spiders

The Eurasian penduline tit is a bird species that you can spot very easily in the western Palearctic region.

Let’s discuss how they looked. They are a little gray in color with the brown wings and have a characteristic black pattern all around their beautiful black eyes, which makes them distinct.

They crafted grass, wool, hair, and plant fibers into a pouch-shaped nest.


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