Pink Dolphins: No, You’re Not Seeing Things That Aren’t There
AMOG Home / Offbeat
- Vasily Darkbloom
- Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pink elephants are one thing, but pink dolphins?
Far be it from anyone to judge the amount of drinks consumed anywhere at any time, but one cannot help but wonder if the sight of a pink dolphin weaving in and out of the water might make one believe that last sip of whatever was simply one too many.
There is only one known pink Bottlenose dolphin in the world and it lives sort of peacefully in an inland lake in the state of Louisiana. The creature has become such a magnet for tourists that animal conservationists are concerned for its safety and have warned all those who come near it to leave it alone.
Possibly related to Amazon “pink dolphins” (pictured above), this one is an amazing anomaly. Technically an albino, it has reddish eyes and glossy pink skin. It is smaller than other dolphins and was perhaps still a baby when originally spotted swimming with a pod of four other dolphins by the man who photographed it last year, charter-boat captain, Erik Rue. It is thought that one of the other three dolphins was its mother who never left its side as they swam by Rue’s boat.
Rue had been studying the mammal after it first surfaced in Lake Calcasieu, which is an inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico. In his own words:
“I just happened to see a little pod of dolphins, and I noticed one that was a little lighter. I had never seen anything like it. It’s the same color throughout the whole body and it looks like it just came out of a paint booth. The dolphin appears to be healthy and normal other than its coloration, which is quite beautiful and stunningly pink. The mammal is entirely pink from tip to tail and has reddish eyes indicating its albinism. The skin appears smooth, glossy pink and without flaws.
Surprisingly, it does not appear to be drastically affected by the environment or sunlight as might be expected considering its condition, although it tends to remain below the surface a little more than the others in the pod.”
The above picture is only one of a few that have ever been taken of this beautiful, elusive creature!
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24 Responses to “Pink Dolphins: No, You’re Not Seeing Things That Aren’t There”
Posted by: Lookman - April 1st, 2009 at 3:55 pm
That is cool. I just released a book about a pod of White dolphins last year called Children from the Sea. It is all about a teenage girl meeting a stranded dolphin on the beach – who miraculously turns into a fit youth. I won't spoil it further.
Pink dolphins that is interesting, very interesting.
Posted by: M Dee Dubroff - April 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 am
Yes, i know. Cool isn't it?
Thanks for your comment.
Posted by: M Dee Dubroff - April 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Your book sounds fascinating. Good luck with it.
Thanks for your comment.
Posted by: David Sisley - April 8th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Pink dolphins that is interesting, very interesting. I have seen these photos in a different place. Fascinating
Posted by: Jamaipanese - April 9th, 2009 at 1:02 am
wow i wonder if i can be the first to see a green one
Posted by: sir chase - April 9th, 2009 at 2:17 am
^…. what a dipshit
Posted by: Ralphi - April 9th, 2009 at 2:33 am
All you people who just got fooled, check the date this was posted
Posted by: Anonymous - April 10th, 2009 at 12:17 am
It's not fake. Do some research next time before jumping to assumptions.
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/pinkdolphin….
Posted by: JJA - April 12th, 2009 at 3:57 am
no it's not a fake, ive seen it, i live about 30 minutes from there. i saw when my family took our boat out on the water.
Posted by: guest - April 13th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I have seen red dolphins before but they dont live for very long, we realised it was because of the loss of blood due to us shooting them.
But they do look pretty and all the water is so red too, but then they sink and we never see them again.
Posted by: M Dee Dubroff - April 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
thanks for your comment.
Posted by: M Dee Dubroff - April 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
It's all true, whether you want to believe it or not.
Posted by: amog - April 14th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Liar. People don't shoot dolphins, they are too cute!
Posted by: mjschmitz - April 15th, 2009 at 12:35 am
BEAUTIFUL DOLPHINS, I HOPE THEY STAY AWAY OF JAPAN FOR THEIR SAFETY. RARE AND BEAUTIFUL.
Posted by: Anon - April 15th, 2009 at 12:36 am
its true: people would rather use blunt objects!
Posted by: dark_shadow - April 15th, 2009 at 3:21 am
In the US they shoot everything its their constitutional right.
Posted by: Phil E. Drifter - April 15th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Photoshopped.
Posted by: Heartburn Home Remedy - April 15th, 2009 at 5:10 am
My fellow on Facebook shared this link and I’m not dissapointed that I came here.
Posted by: ash - April 15th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
it could be real! you never know. Just because the date is for this month doesnt change the fact that it could be a new dicovery! maybe he saw this in an article on yahoo or somthing? If an article was posted on 6,5,08 doesnt mean that its not real. JUST BECAUSE IT HAS A DATE DOESNT MEAN ITS NOT REAL. every day is a day. ANY DAY NOW SOMONE COULD SAY THAT A NEW FISH WAS FOUND AND IT HAS EYESN ON ITS TAIL!!! just because of the day, it doesnt mean it false.
Posted by: asdasd - April 16th, 2009 at 12:49 am
i love how every stumble page comment list has someone who says photoshopped. go kill yourself, you are whats wrong with society
Posted by: photoshop_pro - April 16th, 2009 at 2:26 am
its shopped.. i can tell by the pixels as i have seen many in my time (H)
Posted by: Lookoverthere,man - April 16th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
you're book sounds like really something
I can't wait to get my hands on it and read about a dolphin as a kid..
keep up the ground breaking work!
Posted by: Anon - April 16th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
cool story bro!
Posted by: Go READ - April 16th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
DUH!! Have you ever heard of albinos? BIG WHOOP! Have you ever seen a white rabbit with pink eyes?/? DUH! Some animals are born with a lack of pigment in their bodily tissues. It happens to humans. OOOH! And NO IT IS NOT PHOTOSHOPPED! Undereducated morons!
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