Pinky is an albino bottlenose dolphin found in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana.[1] Pinky was first spotted in June 2007 by a boat captain, Erik Rue. In 2015, Rue was able to capture photo evidence of Pinky mating, proving that she is female.[2] The dolphin has become a tourist attraction, and conservationists have asked visitors to leave the dolphin alone.[3] Pinky's behavior is similar to the rest of the dolphins in her pod, although she tends to spend more time underwater.[3] The animal's popular name is derived from where it frequently lives as well as its skin hue.
| Species | Bottlenose dolphin |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | June 2007 Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana, US |
| Known for | Pink dolphin living in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana |
| Owner | Erik Rue |
| Appearance | Pinkish/white hue due to albinism; visible blood vessels and reddish eyes |
Coloring
editAlthough it is quite rare to see an albino animal in the wild, Pinky has a few signs that appear to confirm her albinism. Blood vessels and eyes with a reddish hue can be seen through Pinky's skin, a key indicator that the cells that normally make the pigment melanin, are hardly active in this dolphin's body.[4] Although albinism can be hereditary, it is unknown if Pinky's parents were of a pinkish/white hue or if they simply carried this specific gene mutation which they then passed down to Pinky.[4]
In 2017, a video was taken showing two albino dolphins swimming in the lake, presumed to be Pinky and her calf.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Pink dolphin appears in US lake". The Daily Telegraph. March 9, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
- ^ "Pinkie, the Rare Pink Dolphin, Spotted in Louisiana Waters Confirmed a Female". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b "Protecting A National Treasure: Pinky The Pink Dolphin and Her Calf". Pegasus. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- ^ a b "How Did Rare Pink Dolphin Get Its Color?". National Geographic News. 2015-09-09. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Sivarajah, Lishyarini (2019-05-06). "A rare pink dolphin named 'Pinky' is now a mother of an adorable pink calf". Good Times. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
About the Author AZ Animals Staff AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, Author, A., Staff, A., & AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts. (2022, August 12). Amazon River Dolphin (pink dolphin). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://a-z-animals.com/animals/pink-dolphin/
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