In the forests, fields, and backyards of North America, the striped skunk is an unmistakable sight. Its bold black-and-white stripes are more than just a fashion statement—they’re a warning.

Many people tend to think of clownfish, with their distinctive white bars against an orange, red, or black background, as a friendly sort of fish, perhaps influenced to some extent by the popular ...

Specifically, the authors think the fish may be looking at the number of vertical white stripes on each other as well as other anemonefish as a way to identify their own species.