Animal with “white” and “black” varieties (really, they’re both gray) NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Animal with ‘white’ and ‘black’ varieties (really, they’re both gray)” is *rhino*. This refers to the white rhinoceros and black rhinoceros, two species native to Africa. Despite their names, both animals are actually gray in color, and the terms “white” and “black” are misnomers that likely stemmed from a mistranslation—“white” possibly derived from the Dutch word “wijde,” meaning “wide,” describing the animal’s mouth shape.

In crossword clues, especially from The Mini, playful language and a bit of zoological trivia are common. Here, the clue gently teases the naming inconsistency while pointing solvers toward a well-known large gray mammal. The accurate, color-neutral answer—*rhino*—solves the puzzle without falling into the color-based naming trap.