Real or Fake? It's REAL!

These animals are erythrocroistic—this means that they have a lot of red pigment, causing an unusual look in their fur, skin, feathers, or scales. Causes include diet—most flamingos (Phoenicopterus species) are erythrocroistic because they feed on algae and small (naturally) pink copepods, or bees fed on maraschino cherry juice—or genetic mutations.

Erythrocroism is very common in katydids (Tettigoniidae), dolphins (Odontoceti), frogfish (Histiophrynidae), and cardinals (Cardinalidae).

I love erythrocroistic rabbits (Leporidae). They’re cute.

GO ERYTHROCROISM!