Joe Kahlo
We’ve seen all kinds of white and black versions of animals, but what about pink? Introducing the pink manta ray
Images were captured by photographer Kristian Laine who was lucky enough to get a look at the one-of-a-kind animal.
In fact, the animal’s complexion was so unusual that Laine believed he had a camera malfunction.
“I had no idea there were pink mantas in the world, so I was confused and thought my strobes were broken or doing something weird,” he said.
Located in Australias Great Barrier Reef, the male manta reaches about eleven feet in length.
Nicknamed Inspector Clouseau, after The Pink Panther, this creature’s color is not due to illness or diet, but instead a genetic mutation that expresses melanin differently.
It causes the pigmentation to express as red or pink and has never been seen before on manta rays.
Inspector Clouseau is now an online celebrity due to his unique color
