October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the color pink, along with the pink ribbon, are the most prominent symbols of breast cancer awareness. To celebrate, here are some animals at SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove that are “wearing” their pink!
Flamingos are an animal that’s always thinking pink! Chilean flamingos are light pink while the Caribbean flamingos have a deep, orangey-pink coloring.
But, did you know that flamingos are not born with their vivid pink coloration? Newly hatched chicks are covered with gray or white down feathers and don’t get their pink adult feathers until after about three years. The algae and various invertebrates that make up a flamingo’s diet are rich in the pigments that contribute to their pink coloration. You can spot our pink flamingos at SeaWorld Orlando at Flamingo Pointe across from Manta.
Some other pink animals that you can see at SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove are the beautiful scarlet ibis, roseate spoonbills and the Jambu fruit dove. The scarlet ibis is easy to spot because of their extraordinary bright scarlet pink plumage.
The roseate spoonbills, like flamingos, get their blushing hue from the things they eat.
The Jumbu bird has a patch of pink on its chest along with green, white and brown feathers.
And our feathered friends aren’t the only ones sporting pink! Check out these rose anemones, starfish and coral that can be found in our aquariums.
Although anemones come in a variety of colors, this one is pretty in pink.
SeaWorld Orlando encourages our readers to learn more about early detection of breast cancer and how you can raise awareness. Please take the time and visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can also join the effort to raise awareness by posting pictures with our pink animals on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #BreastCancerAwareness and #GoPink!