[ELI5] Why is black-and-white so common between totally different species of animals?

Question

Orcas, magpies, pandas, penguins, zebras, skunks, just to name a few.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Id assume thats it is the largest difference in contrast. So any predators that can see contrast better than they can see individual colours will likely be confused by the pattern. Zebras mimic blades of grass, penguins the dark water when looking down onto them, and the bright sky when looking up to them (underwater).