why are dalmations white and black spots?
606962
those are smoke spots they got from riding around on the firetruck.
672957
Zebras have black stripes superimposed over white base coats.  Proof:  Zebras and horses can breed to produce offspring known as zebroids, zorses, or zebra mules.   These hybrids possess black (or dark) zebra stripes superimposed over a normal horse base coat, such as brown, bay, or palomino.  If zebra stripes were white, the zebra/horse hybrids would be expected to have white (or pale) stripes.  Additional proof:  quaggas are an “extinct” subspecies of plains zebra.  Their striping was restricted to their necks and heads (occasionally their backs, as well) and their base coats consisted of dark brown bodies, and white legs and tails.  This gave them the appearance (in darker individuals) of being largely brown with white stripes on the head and neck.  However, in an effort to rebreed the quagga, researchers take an approach which appears (to those who believe zebras are white on black) to be quite the opposite.  They are breeding zebras that are mostly white with striping limited to their necks and heads.  After a population of these “stripe-less” zebras has been established, the breeders will repeat the process, this time focusing on darkening the zebras’ bodies to the dark brown that characterizes a quagga.  It also seems that the less black stripes a zebra possesses, the darker the base coat becomes.  The striping effects observed and utilized by breeders hoping to achieve a quagga would not even exist if zebras were white on black.   (For more information regarding the Quagga Project, visit http://www.quaggaproject.org/ \n\nIn response to other answers:  A common misconception about a zebra’s true color is that it must have a black base coat because its skin is black.  Even professionals such as zookeepers readily accept this as sound reasoning.  However, only very rarely is skin color the same as the animal’s hair color.  Though pigment-less areas on most animals’ bodies will be characterized by both pink skin and white hair, this does not always hold true.  For instance, polar bears have black skin but transparent hair, and orange-furred cats have pink skin.  Within the realm of equines (the group to which zebras belong) chestnut horses have black skin though their hair produces no black pigment (only red), and champagne horses have pink skin despite having colored coats.  If zebras had pink skin to go along with their white base coat, they would be easily sunburned by the harsh African sun.  To compensate, zebras have black skin despite having a white base coat.\n\nWhy do zebras have stripes?\n\nThere are several theories. Here are a few of them:\n\nZebras have stripes to avoid predation. When a herd of zebras are running by, it is very difficult to pick out just one. All it looks like is a big, black and white, kaleidoscopic mess, not a herd of tasty equine individuals.\n\nZebras have stripes to encourage positive social interaction. It seems the stripes somehow trigger benevolent behavior among other zebras. Around the head and shoulders of most zebras, the stripes are most dense. These are areas where positive social behavior would take place, such as greeting or grooming. Around the rears of most zebras the stripes are broad and widespread. The rump is typically the site of aggressive behavior among zebras, such as nipping or kicking. \n\nZebras have stripes to avoid sunburn. It appears the stripes somehow combat UV rays.\n\nZebras have stripes to confuse parasites. Most parasites that rely on sight to find a host look for large, dark, moving bodies. By breaking up their shapes with bold stripes, zebras confuse parasites into misidentifying them as something other than a prospective host.\n\nOf course, all these things could be true. Quaggas are an extinct subspecies of plains zebra that lacked all striping on its body, retaining it only on its head and neck. Because the quagga was out of the range of the tsetse fly (a main zebra parasite), it is possible the body stripes receded because they simply
516694
same as everyone else who gets dandruff. I can understand why you would be confused though. Dandruff is the flaking of the scalp and if the scalp is black wouldn't the flakes be too, right? Well, all skin, no matter what color, is white when if flakes off because it is dead skin. It's just like when you scratch your arm and the area looks white at first. It's the same with black people.
776710
they make colors usually white stand out more. if you have glow in the dark stuff it will make that stand out too
306227
the white spot in bird poop, is bird poop. Actually, its there urine, in the form of uric acid
316723
The white fur is important camouflage for the bears as they hunt their prey on the ice.\n\nPolar bear fur appears white when it is clean and in even sunlight, because it actually is without pigment.
904924
I see the exact same thing.  And I thought it was only me that saw these !  You can see them outside in bright daylight if you look up at a bright sky for long enough.  They look like myriads of little white flashes moving around in all directions.  I don't think they are caused by an electrical overload in your retinas or optical nerves because I can also see them at normal light levels and even in a completely dark room.  If you stare at one spot for long enough (about 5 to 10 seconds) they will start to appear.   It even works when staring at a white computer screen (it doesn't have to be particularly bright), or even a blank sheet of paper !\n\nI have to say I don't see them unless I look for them, but when I do they are always there.  And, contrary to previous answers, they don't go away after a time, in fact they get stronger if anything.  If I don't blink and stay staring at the same spot for 1 to 2 minutes, eventually my entire field of vision is covered with these lights - they are all I can see until I move my eyes at which point they disappear completely !\n\nThey remind me of the 'static' noise that you see on a TV set that isn't tuned to any station, so they could be due to electrical noise in your optic nerves, or even in the brain itself.  I'm glad it's not only me that sees them, I thought I was starting to lose my eyesight !\n\nIncidentally, there is another phenomena that is similar to this, when you stare at a bright light in a dark room.  This effect looks like a myriad of bright streaks emanating out in straight lines in all directions away from the light source.  More like a halo than worms or static noise.  I think this is definitely something to do with the way your eye functions, but I have never seen any explanation for it.  Has anyone else experienced this ?
484594
I get that sometimes too. I have hypoglycemia. I also take a medicine for depresseion called Welbutrin which I have taken for 4 years now. Also I have reached the ripe age of 41!  I think all these things combined is what causes my spots, blurryness and shadows. I was told by my eye doc that the floating spots that move are age spots that most people get with age (over 40). They are protien fillers that build up. The sugar imbalance cause the color spots. Eating more protien in my diet and less fats/carbs helps me.
19635
A tanned dalmation dog!
698262
I'm not a doctor but the skin discoloration and balance issues can be a sign of neurofibromatosis.\n\nhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/neurofibromatosis.htm#What_is
657851
i think u should go to a doctor...i have also very small white spots..and according to doctor i have vitiligo...but its not bothering me because its on my legs and very small..but in my opinion don't use anything from the advice or recommendations on net because u can't show your white patches here and there r lots of other things which cause this depend on size colour and different other things so just go to doctor and use whichever he/she recommend for you.\n\nthanks
864350
The colouration may not make as much sense on land, when they are waddling about, but in the sea as they 'fly' through the water in search of fish and squid and other yummies, it is actually a highly effective form of camouflage.\n\nCalled counter-shading, it makes them pale from below, blending into the brighter background of the surface, and dark from above, blending into the stygian blackness of the abyssal depths.\n\nA lesser form of counter-shading is common in many terrestrial critters as well, where belly fur is often paler than the pelage on the dorsal surface.  Dogs, kitties, even squirrels and bunnies often show this same pattern.\n\nIn the watery environs of a pelagic predator, it is even more effective due to the greater degree of contrast in the environment, and the lack of effective cover in which to hide.  \n\nCounter-shading can be seen in critters like sharks, dolphins, swordfish,  and tuna.\n\nHere's a picture of a tuna showing counter-shading http://www.panamafishingandcatching.com/tuna/preultimo-tuna-tunalarge.jpg\n\nAnd one of a shark http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/sharks/img/27.jpg\n\nProbably the best examples of counter-shading would be the orca (aka killer whale), and the manta ray.  Like penguins, they are very distinctly black on the back and white underneath.\n\nManta ray http://www.no-pest.com/MantaRay.jpg\n\nOrca http://orca-voyance.auraciel.com/orque2a.jpg
433536
They are all different colors depending on the breed.  I don't know if I've ever seen a yellow one, except for those nasty peeps that show up around Easter.
551335
Sounds like "floaters", I think they are tiny scratches on your retina.
103196
Well, my answer is not as funny as the one above but...\n\nNO, They have large patches between their legs and on their bellies that are not striped
839426
It sounds like floaters.  If it is, then you have nothing to worry about.  Usually you'll notice them if you are looking at a white board or the sky.  Some people have lots, some people have a few, and some people never notice them.\n\nIf you're interested, floaters are caused from protein clumps in the jelly ("vitreous" in fancy talk) on the inside of your eye.  As you move your eyes, they slosh around and cast a shadow on your retina, which is what you can see.  If you hold your eyes really still, you'll notice they slow down and eventually disappear.\n\nAnother thing that is a possibility are "ocular migraines."  I would recommend that you get your eyes checked by your family eye doctor just to be on the safe side.
1126084
dont know about that, but i've heard that white animals are albino, a genetic mutation