More photos and words about pink grasshoppers in A Story About Being Different
I find erythristic animals – and anything genetically peculiar – endlessly fascinating. But when I try to research more about them online, I quickly end up back at my own articles. Apparently, there’s still not much solid info out there on the topic.
What I already knew:
- Erythrism, also known as erythrochroism, is a rare genetic mutation that causes red, pink, or orange pigmentation in animals (and occasionally in plants).
- Rumor has it that red-haired humans might also owe their special hue to an erythristic mutation.
- The word comes from the Greek erythros (ἐρυθρός), meaning red.
- Erythrism is usually the result of either a lack of melanin (brown/black pigment) or an excess of other pigments, like pheomelanin.
- In some cases, the reddish appearance can also be caused by environmental factors, diet, or both.
Famous Color Mutations in Nature:
Melanism
An excess of melanin resulting in animals that are darker or entirely black, like black wolves, black foxes, panthers, squirrels, snakes, servals, and even a completely black lion. Melanism is common enough that some melanistic forms have become distinct populations — think black leopards or domestic black cats.
Albinism
A complete absence of melanin, resulting in pale skin, hair, and often pinkish eyes. Albino kangaroos, even an albino echidna, giraffes, squirrels, hedgehogs, and the famous white gorilla “Snowflake” are all part of this group.
Leucism
A partial or full reduction of pigmentation, which does not affect the eyes, unlike albinism. Leucistic animals include white deer, birds, and reptiles.
Erythrism
A mutation that increases red pigmentation, resulting in red or chestnut-colored fur, feathers, or scales. It occurs in birds like blackbirds and starlings, in mammals like squirrels, raccoons, dolphins, zebras and even a ‘strawberry’ leopard! In reptiles and fish, even in a rare pink manta ray. Its rarity suggests that it’s either extremely uncommon or extremely under-reported.
Xanthochromism
An overabundance of yellow pigments, often replacing red. Seen in parrots, frogs, snakes, fish and even an orange shark! Some birds are deliberately bred for this and are called “lutinos”.
Axanthism
The absence of yellow pigments. Normally green animals can appear blue, grey or black; often mistaken for melanin. It differs from the temporary blue coloration seen in male moor frogs during mating season.
Flavism
An excess of yellow-orange pigmentation due to reduced red pigment.
Burning Questions (Still Unanswered):
- Is erythristic expression dominant or recessive?
You’d think recessive, based on its rarity. But if it’s dominant, maybe erythristic animals don’t live long enough to reproduce. Their striking appearance may make them more vulnerable to predators. - If red-haired people are erythristic…, have I been photographing erythristic animals all along — in the form of red foxes?
Probably not. Foxes usually have brown or amber eyes, whereas true erythristic animals often have reddish or pink eyes. But then again… neither do red-haired humans. - If grass were pink, would green grasshoppers become the oddballs in a world full of pink ones?
Perception is everything. - We humans notice a pink grasshopper, but how does a bird see that color? Perhaps to a magpie with ultraviolet vision it is just perfectly camouflaged.
- In group animals, is a different color extra attractive or repulsive? Are erythristic animals bullied more or chosen as mates more often?
Got the answers or more burning questions about erythristic animals? Feel free to share. I’d love to explore this rabbit hole further.
