why are they pink.
2007-07-15 12:13:02 · 20 answers · asked by MUGGY I 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
By nature, their diet consists mainly of shrimp packed with beta-carotine, giving their feathers a beautiful pink color. Some,however,(such as in zoos) may only be partially pink, showing that their diet is inadequate. Without the shrimp, they would be white, so to answer your question, the shrimp they eat.
2007-07-15 13:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by ❤fabulousSARA❤ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are Flamingos Pink? The flamingo's characteristic pink coloring is caused by what they eat. Young flamingos are gray and their feathers turn pink only after they begin eating a steady diet of shrimp and plankton. Adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored. A white or pale flamingo is usually unhealthy or malnourished. However, captive flamingos may turn a pale pink, as they are not fed carotene at levels comparable to the wild. This is changing as more zoos begin to add prawns and other supplements to the diets of their flamingos.
2016-05-18 21:12:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the food they eat. Flamingos filter feed on a diet of Brine Shrimp, which contains Beta Carotene, giving them their characteristic pink coloring.
2007-07-15 12:19:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When light hits flamingoes, the color pink is reflected back. All other colors of the spectrum are absorbed.
2007-07-15 12:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by Avie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The wavelength of the light energy absorbed then reemitted is within the pink wavelengths due to th physical composition of their feathers.
2007-07-15 12:19:18 · answer #5 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because of the shrimp in their diet. If they are kept in a zoo, or somewhere where they can not get their natural food, and fed a perfectly nourishing diet that includes everything exept the shrimp, they will turn white.
2007-07-15 12:16:10 · answer #6 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Becasue of the amount of pink shrimp they eat.
2007-07-15 12:16:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because of what they eat. Shrimps, I think. When they keep them in zoos and feed them on artificial food they have to add colouring (cochineal, maybe?) in order to keep them pink.
2007-07-15 12:15:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because of a pigment found in something they eat, I cannot quite remember what is it that they eat. BUt try searching in wikipedia.
2007-07-15 12:16:49 · answer #9 · answered by Lola 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its actually dow to the foood they eat which gives them the pigment
2007-07-15 12:15:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋