Pink is a color that we often associate with flowers, candy, and other man-made objects. But does the color pink actually occur naturally in the wild? The quick answer is yes, pink can be found in some animals and plants in nature. However, true pink is relatively rare compared to other colors. In this article, we’ll explore some examples of pink in the natural world, look at why genuine pink is uncommon, and discuss how pink gets its color.
Animals with Pink Coloration
While pink is an unusual color for wildlife, some animal species do display genuine pink tones. Here are a few examples:
Flamingos
Flamingos are famous for their vibrant pink feathers. Their color comes from carotenoid pigments in the algae and small crustaceans they eat. Flamingos are born gray; they gain their pink hue from their diet as they mature. Flamingos with the most carotenoids in their diet end up the pinkest. Their pink color deepens when breeding.
Pink Fairy Armadillos
This unusual armadillo species is native to central Argentina. They are the smallest type of armadillo, around 5 inches long. True to their name, pink fairy armadillos have a pale rose color due to the blood vessels showing through their thin skin and shell. They spend the day burrowing and emerge at night to forage.
Pink River Dolphins
River dolphins in the Amazon and Yangtze Rivers can display pink skin. Their color is thought to come from increased blood flow close to the skin’s surface. The blood vessels dilate to help the dolphins regulate body temperature in warm river habitats.
Pink Underwing Moth
This moth species is found across North America. At rest, their forewings and bodies are dull brown or gray. But when disturbed, they expose bright pink-orange underwings. This flash of color startles predators long enough for the moth to escape.
Chilean Flamingo
| Scientific Name | Phoenicopterus chilensis |
|---|---|
| Color | Pink and white |
| Size | Up to 40 inches tall |
| Range | South America, Galapagos Islands |
| Habitat | Shallow lakes, lagoons, salt flats |
| Diet | Algae, brine shrimp, crustaceans |
Pink Plants and Flowers
Pink can also occasionally be found in the plant world. Here are some botanical examples.
Pink Princess Philodendron
This rainforest plant has variegated leaves with a unique mix of green, cream, and pink tones. The pink color is thought to be due to a genetic mutation. Pink princesses are challenging to propagate as the pink coloration does not always carry over.
Pink Orchids
There are over 30,000 orchid species, and some display pink flowers. Examples include phalaenopsis orchids, cattleya orchids, and pink cymbidium orchids. Flower colors in orchids come from water-soluble pigments called anthocyanins. Different types and levels of anthocyanins produce the pink orchid shades.
Pink Sundews
Sundews are carnivorous plants that trap insects with sticky, dew-like droplets on their leaves. Some species, like the Pink Sundew, have pink-hued leaves. Their coloration comes from anthocyanins in the leaves that may help attract insect prey.
Pink Lady’s Slipper
Lady’s slipper orchids are native to North American forests. The Showy Lady’s Slipper has large, rounded pink flowers. Smaller Pink Lady’s Slippers produce light pink blooms. Again, pink orchid color comes from natural anthocyanin pigments.
Why Isn’t Pink More Common in Nature?
Compared to the prevalence of other colors, genuine pink is relatively uncommon in the wild. Here are some reasons why:
– Pigment production requires extra energy, so brighter colors are more often used for signaling (attracting mates, warning predators). More subdued pinks may not stand out enough.
– Pink pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins can be scarce compared to other pigments. Animals and plants are limited in accessing enough of them.
– Some pink plant colors only emerge through inefficient mutations, so they are not strongly selected for.
– Pink animals may be more vulnerable to predators, as their color stands out against natural backgrounds. Neutral pinks provide little camouflage or mimicry.
So while vivid pinks like flamingo feathers grab our attention, muted natural pinks are definitely a rarity in the wild compared to more common colors like green, brown, red, orange, yellow, black, and white.
How Does Pink Get Its Color?
Now that we’ve seen some examples, how exactly does pink get its signature color in nature? Pink coloration stems from two main pigments:
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are organic pigments produced by plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria. Animals cannot produce carotenoids on their own but acquire them through their diet. Carotenoids create yellow, orange, and red hues. Mixing carotenoid types produces pink shades. Examples include:
– Astaxanthin: Found in algae. Provides flamingo pink when combined with other carotenoids.
– Canthaxanthin: Found in mushrooms. Also contributes to flamingo color.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are water-soluble plant pigments that create blue, purple, and red colors. Different anthocyanin combinations mix to form pinks. Examples include:
– Cyanidin: Red anthocyanin that produces deep pinks.
– Pelargonidin: Orange-red anthocyanin that contributes light pink tones.
– Peonidin: Reddish-purple anthocyanin that adds middling pink shades.
So in summary, pink arises from select carotenoids and specific combinations of anthocyanin plant pigments. This specialized bio-chemistry is why genuine pink is relatively uncommon compared to other colors readily produced in nature.
Conclusion
While pink is rare compared to other colors, examples like flamingos, dolphins, orchids, and armadillos show it does naturally occur in wildlife and plants. Pink arises from limited carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments. Producing these costs energy and resources, which limits pink’s prevalence compared to more common colors. Still, the unusual occurrence of natural pinkstands out and grabs our attention precisely due to its rarity. The fleeting flashes of pink in nature are all the more meaningful when we realize what constraints produce this scarce but memorable color.