Flamingos are pink and orange depending on the food they eat. They eat algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. Most pigmets are found in shrimp and blue-green algae that birds eat. The enzymes in the flamingos break down the carotenoids into pink and orange and are deposited into their feathers and legs. This is why flamingos are pink.
Thanks, Baylee! Robynn wasn't too far off with the toxin thing, but I guess algae isn't toxic to them... Extra credit, what what?!
ReplyDeleteI started to drink this healthy smoothie thing from the grocery store called green goodness and after I started drinking it I read the side and it said it had blue green algae (gag) and a whole bunch of other nasty things, I quit drinking THAT immediately. sorry... a little random.
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