Why are flamingos pink?
According to http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/are-flamingos-pink-because-they-eat-shrimp website, flamingos are pink because they eat a certain type of shrimp called brine shrimp. The brine fish live in salt water lakes in both hemispheres which is usually where the flamingo lives. The flamingos grab the shrimp with their uniquely shaped beaks and then turn upside down to strain out any mud and water. After the water and mud is strained, they enjoy their meal. There is a nutritious natural chemical in the shrimp called Beta Carotene that gives the birds its bright color. Beta Carotene is the same chemical found in carrots to give it its bright orange color. It’s a very important chemical because it helps us manufacture Vitamin A. In zoos, zookeepers add another chemical to the flamingo’s food called Canthaxanthin. Canthaxanthin is the same chemical used to feed pen-raised salmon. They use it to make the fish food look more appealing. …show more content…
Anonymous, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2015. Magazine article, flamingos are pink because of what they eat. Depending on what they eat, they will turn white, orange, or pink. Flamingos eat certain foods that contain a pigment called Carotenoids. Carotenoids are usually found in brine shrimp, flamingo’s favorite treat, and algae. Something in the bird’s liver called Enzymes breaks down the Carotenoids which creates the beautiful pink and or orange color the animals poses. The color is then spread to the bird’s feathers, beak, and legs. If a flamingo eats more algae than shrimp, it’ll have a deeper color versus flamingos that eat other small animals. Zoo flamingos however have a different diet than wild flamingos. Zoo flamingos eat prawns which includes a pigmented crustacean or Beta-Carotene and Canthaxanthin. If the zoo animals wouldn’t have this certain diet, they wouldn’t have the bright and vibrant pink and orange, instead a white or pale
According to http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/are-flamingos-pink-because-they-eat-shrimp website, flamingos are pink because they eat a certain type of shrimp called brine shrimp. The brine fish live in salt water lakes in both hemispheres which is usually where the flamingo lives. The flamingos grab the shrimp with their uniquely shaped beaks and then turn upside down to strain out any mud and water. After the water and mud is strained, they enjoy their meal. There is a nutritious natural chemical in the shrimp called Beta Carotene that gives the birds its bright color. Beta Carotene is the same chemical found in carrots to give it its bright orange color. It’s a very important chemical because it helps us manufacture Vitamin A. In zoos, zookeepers add another chemical to the flamingo’s food called Canthaxanthin. Canthaxanthin is the same chemical used to feed pen-raised salmon. They use it to make the fish food look more appealing. …show more content…
Anonymous, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2015. Magazine article, flamingos are pink because of what they eat. Depending on what they eat, they will turn white, orange, or pink. Flamingos eat certain foods that contain a pigment called Carotenoids. Carotenoids are usually found in brine shrimp, flamingo’s favorite treat, and algae. Something in the bird’s liver called Enzymes breaks down the Carotenoids which creates the beautiful pink and or orange color the animals poses. The color is then spread to the bird’s feathers, beak, and legs. If a flamingo eats more algae than shrimp, it’ll have a deeper color versus flamingos that eat other small animals. Zoo flamingos however have a different diet than wild flamingos. Zoo flamingos eat prawns which includes a pigmented crustacean or Beta-Carotene and Canthaxanthin. If the zoo animals wouldn’t have this certain diet, they wouldn’t have the bright and vibrant pink and orange, instead a white or pale