Kristian Laine, a freediver and underwater
photographer, was photographing at Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef
when he came across a rare manta with a rose-colored bottom.
Nothing could have prepared us for the
sight of a pink manta ray, even though we'd seen everything from cotton
candy-colored crustaceans to spotted zebras. The world got a glimpse of the
extraordinary species thanks to photographer Kristian Laine's photos which had
only been seen seven times since its discovery in 2015.
The male manta ray which is eleven feet
long lives in the waters off Australia's Lady Elliot Island which is part of
the Great Barrier Reef. Although Project Manta, a research group focused on the
ecology and biology of Australia's manta rays has spent a lot of time studying
him Laine's beautiful photos have helped the animal go viral.
The manta ray, dubbed Inspector Clouseau
in tribute to The Pink Panther is so rare that it led Laine to believe he had a
camera fault. “I had no clue there were pink mantas in the world, so I was
perplexed and assumed my strobes were damaged or acting strangely," he
explained. Inspector Clouseau, on the other hand, is one-of-a-kind because of
his brilliant pink tint.
In 2016, Project Manta performed a skin
biopsy to understand more about his color. As a result, they ruled out disease
and food as possible explanations of his unusual color. The pink skin of the
manta ray is currently thought to be caused by a genetic mutation that allows it
to express melanin differently. This is most likely erythrism, a condition in
which an animal's coloring appears red or pink. Understanding this mutation
could help scientists learn more about how manta ray color has developed in the
future.
Manta rays are typically all black, all
white, or black with a white belly, to put things in perspective. While genetic
changes like these can make animals more vulnerable to predators, experts
believe Inspector Clouseau isn't having any problems because of his massive
size. Adults of the largest of all rays may weigh about 3,000 pounds, so he
shouldn't have too much trouble fending for himself.
Inspector Clouseau, though he may not
realize it, has become an internet sensation due to his unusual coloring. Laine
considers the event an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as he is one of only a
few individuals who have seen the pink manta ray in person. "I feel
honored and really lucky." Laine explained to National Geographic.
Inspector Clouseau is a pink manta ray who
lives on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
He is most likely the world’s only known
pink manta ray due to a genetic abnormality. He's only been seen a handful of times
since his discovery in 2015.
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