If you have been looking for brown things in nature, you’re in the right place! Here’s a comprehensive list of things that are naturally brown.
Brown is one of the most earthy colors because of its clear association with nature.
That’s why we researched and created this incredible list of naturally brown things, meaning nothing with artificial alterations.
Namely, we will talk about brown things, foods, plants, and animals in nature. Have fun!
What is Associated With Brown?
Brown is often associated with the earth but also with feelings of reliability and safety.
It’s perceived as a humble color that is conservative and sometimes dull.
Despite its positive associations, brown is one of the least favorite colors of the spectrum.
A Visual List of Things That Are Brown
Here’s an exciting list of things, foods, plants, and animals that are naturally brown.
Brown Things
1. Brown Skin
Brown skin is by far the most common skin color, and it ranges from beige to dark brown, mostly associated, but not exclusively, with the following ethnic origins: African, Asian, East Indian, Hispanic, North African, Middle Eastern, and Native American.
Dark skin types are rich in melanin pigments and are more resistant to UV damage. People with very dark skin are often referred to as “black people,” although this usage can be ambiguous in some countries where it is also used to specifically refer to different ethnic groups or populations.
2. Brown Hair
Brown is the second most common hair color in the world, only after black.
It’s estimated that 11% of the world’s population has brown hair, including a variety of brown shades, from nearly blond to nearly black.
3. Earth
The soil on the surface of our planet, earth, is a brown substance.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, it’s “the usually brown, heavy and loose substance of which a large part of the surface of the ground is made, and in which plants can grow.”
4. Sand
Sand is a loose granular substance resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks and forming a major constituent of beaches, riverbeds, seabed, and deserts.
Sand can have a variety of colors like pale yellowish-brown, caramel, white, black, green, and brown.
5. Chocolate Diamonds
Also known as cognac, champagne, or brown diamonds, these beautiful gemstones are among the more affordable fancy color diamonds.
Although the word diamond conjures images of a clear, colorless stone, diamonds can be found in a rainbow of colors ranging from brown to red.
6. Smoky Quartz
This crystalline quartz is relatively inexpensive because of its abundance in nature, and the demand for this color is low.
Smoky quartz is a color variety of quartz that ranges from a light yellowish-brown to a dark brown that appears black.
7. Tree Bark and Trunks
Tree trunks are formed by the hardening of the outermost cells of the stem, which are specialized to perform protection functions for the plant/tree.
For that reason, they lose their soft texture and chlorophyll content which makes them appear gray, reddish, or brown.
8. Brown Leaves
Due to changes in daylight length and temperature, leaves stop their food-making process, breaking down chlorophyll, so the green color disappears, giving place to yellow, orange, and/or red until they turn brown.
In addition, leaves can turn brown in a home environment due to underwatering, sunburn, or overwatering.
9. Brown Eyes
It doesn’t come as a surprise, but brown eyes are by far the most common eye color.
About 70 to 79 percent of people worldwide have brown eyes, being more predominant in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
Brown Foods
10. Kiwis
This Chinese fruit has thin, fibrous, but edible brown skin. However, the light green (sometimes golden) flesh is far tastier.
Surprisingly, kiwi fruit has twice the vitamin C of an orange, making it one of the most nutrient-dense fruits.
11. Chestnuts
Although not all species of chestnut are edible, edible nuts are rich nutrient sources. That’s because they are the only nuts that contain vitamin C, among other nutrients.
The oldest chestnut tree in the world, Castagno Dei Cento Cavalli, sits on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, an active volcano in Italy. This tree is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.
12. Almonds
Native to Iran, almonds are 100% reliant on wild bees for crop pollination, making them costly to grow.
Still, almonds are highly nutritious nuts that positively affect heart health and weight management.
On top of that, almonds have the highest protein content of all nuts, making them one of the most nutrient-dense tree nuts.
13. Walnuts
Enclosed in hard shells, walnuts are rich in antioxidants and Omega-3s, making them nutritional powerhouses.
In addition to their wrinkled brain-like appearance, walnuts have always been considered critical for brain health.
Recent studies have proven that the consumption of these seeds does improve cognitive brain function.
14. Cassava
Cassava is the root vegetable from the yucca plant, which is very popular in South American cuisine.
In addition, cassava is a staple food in the tropics and the third-largest source of food carbohydrates, after rice and maize.
It has very light beige to yellowish-white flesh and thin brown skin.
15. Pecans
This smooth brown nut has an edible kernel similar to a walnut. Pecans are native to the southern United States and northern Mexico.
Currently, the United States produces about 80% of the world’s pecans, but Georgia is the largest producer, growing as much as 100 million pounds annually.
16. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are native to the Amazon Rainforest in the country and are one of the largest trees in the region.
Its trees reach 160 feet tall with a 3 ft 3 in-6 ft 7 inches in diameter. They are also among the longest-living trees, as Brazil nut trees may reach 1,000 years or more.
The nuts are enclosed in hard, brown shells and have thin, brown skin. The flesh is light yellowish beige.
17. Brown Beans
Beans are seeds used as vegetables and cooked in many different ways.
Although brown beans are among the most consumed variety, you can also find red, white, pinkish, black, and beige beans.
18. Flax Seeds
Flax seeds are tiny brown seeds rich in antioxidants, fiber, protein, and healthful fat. There is also a golden variety available.
These highly-nutritious seeds are prized for their health-protective properties, from controlling weight to lowering blood pressure.
19. Jenipapo
Jenipapo is a Brazilian fruit that belongs to the coffee family.
This fruit resembles a fig, but it’s twice as big as one, and it tastes sweet but slightly acidic.
Still, jenipapo is widely used to produce liquors, syrups, and juices and is rich in vitamins C and B, iron, and calcium.
20. Cupuaçu
A tropical rainforest tree related to cocoa, cupuaçu is produced mainly in the north of Brazil.
Because its taste is similar to chocolate, most Brazilians enjoy eating this fruit or drinking its juice. It’s delicious.
Cupuaçu is rich in vitamin C and phosphorus, and it’s widely used in cosmetics products for its antioxidant properties.
21. Bosc Pear
Even if you have never heard of this brown fruit, the chances are high that you have already seen it.
Bosc pears are famous for their cinnamon color and are often used in paintings due to their shape.
Bosc pears are recognized for their hard, white flesh and brown skin. Still, they tend to be juicy, crunchy, and sweet at one point in their ripeness cycle.
22. Coconut
Fruit of the coconut palm, brown coconuts are fully mature and get darker as the ripening process advances.
Their water and tender meat are packed with micronutrients, and beachgoers in tropical regions might taste them fresh from local vendors.
23. Longan Fruit
These small, round fruits have a thin, leathery, tan peel, while their flesh is translucent. A large, black seed is found in the center of the fruit.
Flavor-wise, longan fruit is comparable to lychee. This brown fruit is native to Southeast Asia, where it is still widely produced.
24. Roman Brown Mushroom
One of the most consumed mushrooms in the world, the Roman brown mushroom is native to Europe.
However, these fungi might be white or brown. When brown, they might also be known as Swiss, Italian, cremini, or chestnut mushrooms.
25. Coffee
The third most consumed beverage in the world, coffee, has two main types: arabica and robusta. The latter has significantly more caffeine content.
Currently, Brazil produces about a third of the world’s supply, almost twice as much as the second place holder, Vietnam.
So, if you’re drinking this beverage today, there is a big chance you’ll drink Brazilian coffee.
Brown Plants
26. Cymbid Charlie Brown Orchid
The Charlie Brown is one of the longest-lasting of all orchid varieties. They are available year-round and are easily one of the prettiest brown flowers in nature.
Although very beautiful, the Charlie Brown orchid doesn’t have a scent.
27. Cymbidium Orchids Amber Brown
Striking by their color, cymbidium orchids are beautiful flowers for gifts, wedding flower arrangements, or corsages.
In addition, cymbidium orchids are one of the most popular and attractive orchids in the world because of their beautiful flowers.
Orchids represent love, beauty, and refinement in the flower color meanings.
Brown Animals
28. Brown Bear
These massive brown animals sleep most of the winter in caves and wake up in the spring. During winter, their heartbeat can slow down to 10 beats per minute.
On top of that, brown bears are omnivores, meaning they eat anything they can find: meat, plants, fruits, etc.
29. Little Bunting
These small brown birds can live up to 9 years and are around 4.7-5.5 inches long, head to tail.
Fortunately, the little bunting birds are not endangered or rare. So if you live in a warm area, chances are you will see them, especially in June and July when they are breeding.
30. Cope’s Giant Salamander
Native to Washington and Oregon, these medium-sized salamanders are sensitive to climate change.
They eat smaller animals, fish, and other amphibians, including their eggs.
31. Burrowing Owl
While most owls hunt at night, the burrowing owls are unusual day hunters.
These brown birds live underground and make sure to make a mess at their burrow entrance, so no unwanted visitors come by.
32. Elk
Also known as wapiti, these massive brown animals are one of the largest species within the deer family.
The elk ranges from central to eastern Asia and the United States to Canada. However, the elk had a much broader distribution in the past.
33. Brown Woolly Monkey
These brown monkeys live in the northwest region of the Amazon Rainforest that primarily consume fruits, leaves, and seeds.
It is unknown how many of these primates are present in the world. However, their population is at risk and classified as threatened due to the disproportionate impact of global warming.
34. Six-Banded Armadillo
Also known as yellow armadillos, these mammals are the third largest armadillo species.
The carapace is a pale yellow to reddish-brown with equally long scales and bristle-like hairs.
35. Moose
Often confused with elks, moose are the most significant and heaviest extant species in the deer family.
These massive mammals can reach 6.9 feet and weigh up to 1,543 pounds.
36. Pygmy Marmoset
As the world’s smallest monkeys, pygmy marmosets live in the rainforest canopy of South America and grow up to 6.2 inches length-wise. They weigh no more than 5 ounces.
Still, the title of the smallest primate belongs to the mouse lemur from Madagascar.
37. Brazilian Teal
Brazilian teals are light brown. Drakes distinguish themselves from females with red beaks and legs and a distinctive pale grey area on the side of their head and neck.
However, the feathers on the inside of their wings have a beautiful color teal.
38. Northern Raccoon
The northern raccoon has a black and white face and a mix of brown and gray hair on its body.
Although very intelligent and agile, these small animals live an average of 5 years in the wild.
39. Wolverine
Carnivore and solitary, the wolverine is known as a ferocious animal. On top of that, this medium-sized creature has strength out of proportion to its size.
The documented ability to prey on animals many times larger than itself makes it a notable predator.
40. Giant River Otter
These brown animals are very clever creatures and use rocks to crack open the clams.
They are more aquatic than other species and live in the Amazon river basin, however, due to poaching and habitat loss, they are becoming increasingly rare.
41. California Sea Lion
Native to western North America, these sea lions are mostly dark brown and have robust bodies, although males may become bigger.
In addition, they are intelligent animals and, fortunately, are listed as “least concern” by the IUCN.
42. Maned Wolf
As the largest canine in South America, the maned wolf is a Brazilian animal that is neither related to a wolf nor a fox.
Yet, this long-legged animal has a reddish-brown coat, which gives it a unique appearance.
43. Cougar
Native to the Americas, the cougar is the second-largest big cat in the New World and the fourth-largest cat species in the world.
Its coat is light brown to reddish, depending on the region it lives.
44. Bighorn Sheep
This brown sheep with big horns is native to North America and is considered endangered by the IUCN.
Bighorn sheep are the largest wild sheep on the continent.
45. Pink-Toed Tarantula
This South American spider has a dark brown body and pinkish leg tips.
In addition, this 5-inch tarantula can throw hairs from its body as a form of defense.
46. Kit Fox
This small and cute fox is native to North America and is one of the smallest species of the Canidae family on the continent.
Its coat is light brown to grayish brown, and its ears are disproportionally big, making it even cuter.
47. Kiwi Bird
This brown flightless bird is native to New Zealand and has a peculiar appearance: loose, hair-like hair, nostrils at the end of its beak, and no tail.
48. Brazilian Brown Bat
As its name says, this mammal is native to Brazil. It is an insectivorous bat that grows up to 4 inches.
This bat varies in color throughout its range, from gray with a yellow cast to dark brown with a red cast.
49. Beaver
The beaver can weigh 40 pounds on average, making it the largest rodent in North America.
This brown animal depends on leaves, bark, twigs, roots, and aquatic plants.
50. Cedar Waxwing
This medium-sized, sleek bird is mostly brown, gray, and yellow.
Cedar waxwing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
51. Impala
Impala is a medium-sized antelope with a reddish-brown coat and tan flank.
This mammal can leap up to 33 feet in length and 10 feet in height.
52. Dumeril’s Ground Boa
This non-venomous boa from Madagascar can grow up to 6.5 feet in length.
Its pattern features a garish-brown color with darker patches.
53. White-Tailed Deer
Also known as Virginia deer, this brown animal is native to the Americas.
In North America, the white-tailed deer is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains as well as in southwestern Arizona and most of Mexico.
54. Goliath Birdeater
The goliath birdeater is one of the biggest spiders in the world, with an 11-inch leg span.
In addition, this spider is brown and native to South America, specifically the Amazon Rainforest.
55. Giraffe
The giraffe is the tallest land animal and the largest ruminant on the planet.
Each giraffe has a distinctive coat entirely covered in an irregular pattern of dark spots.
Their color ranges from brown chestnut to almost black. These patches are separated by yellowish-white or cream-colored hair.
56. Copperhead
One of the most common North American snakes, the copperhead has a body pattern of reddish to chestnut-brown on a lighter brown background.
It has an average length of between 24 to 36 inches.
57. Common Buckeye
This medium-sized butterfly has brown wings with yellow to orange stripes and large round eyespots–quite unusual butterfly colors but beautiful nevertheless.
It is a distinctive butterfly with an average wingspan of 1.8 to 2.8 inches.
58. Aardvark
The aardvark looks like a small pig with rabbit-like ears and kangaroos’ tail. Yet, it’s not related to any of these animals.
In fact, the elephant is one of this brown’s animal closest living relatives.
59. Giant Fishing Spider
With a leg span of almost 3.1 inches, this large spider is mostly found in Asia, but it is distributed around the world.
In addition, it can walk on the surface of the water because the fine hair on its legs doesn’t break the water’s tension.
60. Western Banded Gecko
This terrestrial lizard has a sandy-colored body with dark brown patches, and it can grow up to 6 inches, including the tail.
The western banded gecko is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
61. Seal Salamander
This lungless salamander has a brownish body and pinkish head. It is endemic to the eastern United States and inhabits rocky mountain streams.
62. Common Toad
The common toad is a nocturnal animal that can reach up to 6 inches in length.
In addition, it has no teeth, and its body color is a relatively uniform shade of brown, olive-brown, and grayish-brown.
63. Bald Uaraki
This monkey has a peculiar appearance with a bright red face, bald head, and long reddish-brown coat.
It inhabits wooded regions near water in the western Amazon.
64. Boa Constrictor
This giant, non-venomous snake can reach up to 13 feet, depending on the habitat and diet.
It generally has a grayish-brown or cream base color and brown or reddish-brown patches.
65. Elephant Beetle
This large beetle has a black body covered with microscopic yellowish-brown hair.
Males have two horns while females have none, and they can grow 2 to 3 times bigger than the females.
66. Brazilian Tapir
Brazilian tapir is a species of the rhinoceros family and was recognized as a separate species in 1758.
Newborn babies exhibit dappled spots on their bodies, which serve as ideal camouflage.
These markings disappear by six months old, after which the young tapirs gain their adult appearance.
67. Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara is as heavy as an adult human.
As a matter of fact, the word ‘capybara’ is believed to mean ‘master of the grasses’, whereas the scientific name of this species means ‘water hog’ in Greek.
68. Norman Cob Horse
This horse breed originated in Normandy, France, and has a beautiful chestnut or seal brown color.
The Norman Cob is an elegant and robust breed that stands between 15.3 to 16.1 inches.
69. Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders can jump 20 times their body length. They are active during the day and prefer sunshine.
Their color varies between different shades of brown, and some species have colorful body parts.
70. House Wren
Native to the Americas, this brown bird is distributed from Canada to Argentina.
It reaches up to 5.1 inches and has a wingspan of 5.9 inches.
71. Bush Dog
This canine native to Central and South America was believed to be extinct, but fortunately, that’s not the case—at least, yet!
It has brownish-tan fur and can reach up to 30 inches and head-body length and 12 inches in shoulder height.
72. Three-Toed Sloth
Also known as the maned sloth, the three-toed sloth is the slowest mammal in the world.
It moves through the canopy at an impressive rate of about 40 yards per day and spends 15 to 20 hours per day sleeping.
73. Tufted Capuchin
The tufted capuchin is named after friars dressed in brown robes with hoods covering their heads. These animals are curious and tend to play with anything they find.
74. Azara’s Agouti
Resembling the red squirrel in Europe, Azara’s agouti is a rodent named after Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara.
It lives in the Brazilian Pantanal and the forest around Iguazu Falls.
75. South American Coati
The South American coati, also known as the coatimundi, is a member of the raccoon family.
It typically lives in the Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest, like the Iguazu Falls.
76. Yacare Caiman
The yacare caiman is an ancient creature that lives in central South America.
Around 10 million yacare caimans inhabit the Brazilian Pantanal, possibly the world’s largest single crocodilian population.
77. Rufous-Bellied Thrush
The rufous-bellied thrush has been the national bird of Brazil since 2002, and it is highly regarded in the country.
Between August and November, thousands of birds sing during the night until sunrise, which is why it is seen as the Brazilian commoner’s spirit.
78. Spectacled Owl
This brown owl is mainly found in Central and South America. It can grow up to 20.6 inches and weigh from 1.50 to 2.76 pounds.
It has blackish-brown upper parts and a yellowish-white breast.
79. Visayan Spotted Deer
Also known as Philippine spotted deer, this endangered species of deer is the largest in the region. Its body is deep brown in color with beige spots on the sides.
80. Brazilian Wandering Spider
According to the Guinness Book of Records, this brown spider is the world’s most venomous spider.
They say this spider is the most toxic of all, and its venom causes extreme pain, inflammation, loss of muscle control, and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation.
81. Brown Spider Monkey
This slender monkey from South America has light to dark brown fur and a whitish forehead patch. It may have brown or pale blue eyes.
Unfortunately, the brown spider monkey is one of the most threatened primates in the Neotropical region.
82. Amazon Tree Boa
With a striking appearance, this snake is grouped into two color phases.
The first is composed of warm colors, like red, orange, and yellow. The other is composed of muted colors, like brown, gray, and black.
83. Brazilian Owl Butterfly
This beautiful brown butterfly has a wide range from Mexico to southern Brazil.
Its wingspan reaches 5.9 inches, and it has two round eye-shaped marks that look like an owl’s eyes, hence the name.
84. Titan Beetle
As the largest beetle species in the world, the titan can reach up to 6.6 inches in length.
Its color consists of various shades of brown.
85. Eastern Imperial Eagle
Eastern imperial eagles are large birds of prey native to Europe and Asia.
These birds are mostly deep brown with pale golden and white patches and a dark grey tail.
86. Bongo
The bongo has a striking reddish-brown coat with black and white markings.
In addition, the bongo is an African antelope and is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.
87. Eurasian Buzzard
The Eurasian buzzard, also known as the common buzzard, is a medium-sized bird of prey commonly found in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
It’s a beautiful deep brown bird of prey with a particular call: similar to a cat’s meow.
88. European Mink
The European mink has dark brown or almost blackish-brown fur. Some individuals might have reddish-brown hair.
Unfortunately, it’s a critically endangered animal that is extinct in most of Europe.
89. Brazilian Cockroach
Considered one of the largest cockroaches in the world, the Brazilian cockroach reaches 3 inches in length.
It has a brown body and wings and a few black markings on the body.
90. Eurasian Pygmy-Owl
This predatory bird is found throughout Europe and has a reddish or grayish-brown body with white spots on the sides.
This owl species is the smallest owl in Europe, reaching no more than 7.5 inches.
91. Darwin’s Frog
Darwin’s frog is a rapidly decreasing amphibian species found in Argentina and Chile.
This tiny frog has triangular heads and long slender brown limbs, yet its back and top of the head are light brown to yellowish-white.
92. Pronghorn
As the fastest land mammal in the western hemisphere, the pronghorn has a running speed of up to 55 mph.
It has mainly light to medium brown fur with white patches.
93. Highland Cattle
This Scottish breed of rustic cattle has a long shaggy reddish-brown coat, but there is also a type with a black coat.
This species can cope very well with low temperatures but not so well with high temps.
94. Dassie Rat
The dassie rat is a small animal native to South and Central Africa. This rat usually resides in rocky crevices to protect itself safe from birds of prey.
It searches for food on the ground and has been observed to warn about sighting a predator.
95. American Bison
The American bison is the national mammal of the United States. This massive animal has a shaggy dark-brown winter coat and a light brown summer coat.
96. Muskrat
This semi-aquatic rodent is native to North America but has been introduced in Asia and Europe.
The muskrat is covered with short, thick fur, which is medium to dark brown.
97. Chocolate Labrador
Sociable and docile, the chocolate labrador is America’s most popular dog breed.
The brown labrador is one of the types of dogs in this breed which can also be black or yellow.
98. Hereford Cow
This British cattle breed is mostly brown with a white head and belly.
Today, the Hereford cow is found on all continents.
99. Brown Anole
Also known as the Cuban brown anole, this reptile is light to dark brown and has black markings on its back. Some individuals might have beige stripes on their sides.
100. Frilled Lizard
The frilled lizard is one of the quirkiest sights in nature, from the moment it runs away on its hind legs to when it unfurls the colorful skin flap around its head.
While its coloration might change according to the environment, this lizard is generally brown to grayish-brown.
101. Havana Brown Cat
As a result of a planned breeding between domestic black cats and siamese, the Havana brown is a gorgeous cat.
It has a warm brown coat with no tabby markings, brown whiskers, and green eyes.
102. Isa Brown Chicken
This medium-sized chicken is mostly brown with lighter patches and has a white tail. The comb and wattles are red.
103. Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo
As the smallest of all tree kangaroos, this species reaches about 19-26 inches in length.
In addition, it is a rare animal with grayish-light brown fur.
104. Emperor Tamarin
This Amazon Rainforest monkey is recognized by its white mustache resembling the German emperor Wilhelm II.
In addition, emperor tamarins have dark brown fur and are lightweight enough to forage fruit and insects on the outermost tips of tree branches.
105. Lionhead Rabbit
This rabbit resembles a male lion with its wool mane encircling its head.
Originated in France and Belgium, this small rabbit can grow up to 10 inches and weigh 2.5 to 3.75 pounds.
Things That Are Brown in Nature
Brown is by far one of the most common colors in nature. While this list has 105 naturally brown things that might seem massive, it is far from exhaustive.
Did we forget something? Let us know in the comments!
We promise to continually update this article as we come across more naturally brown things.
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