Blue is said to be the rarest pigment existing in nature. Blue jays, blue tangs, and hyacinth macaws are some of the most known blue animals.
Names of Blue Animals
- Blue jay
- Blue tang
- Hyacinth macaw
- Blue iguana
- Blue glaucus (blue sea slug)
- Mandarin fish
- Blue poison dart frog
- Menelaus blue morpho
- Sinai agama
- Blue sea star
- Carpathian blue slug
- Peacock
- William’s dwarf gecko
- Cobalt blue tarantula
- Greater blue-ringed octopus
- Little blue heron
- Spix’s macaw
- Blue crayfish
- Moor frog
- Betta fish
- Blue bottle fly
- Blue scorpion
- Blue dasher
- Chesapeake blue crab
- Blue whale
Blue Animals with Examples
- There are bluebirds and blue jays and blue herons.
- The blue tang of some wild herb hung in the air.
- We count monkeys in the trees and hyacinth macaw at their clay licks where they congregate in their hundreds.
- So, you just got your first blue iguana and you have lots of questions.
- Interestingly enough, blue sea slug is able to eat sea anemones without discharging their nematocysts.
- I’d like to have mandarin fish, and lobster with chili sauce.
- The blue poison dart frog is usually found in humid areas.
- A blue morpho butterfly is produced by metamorphosis from a caterpillar.
- He appeared to be herbivorous apart from the occasional Sinai agama lizard or worm when plant life was lacking.
- A small crab skitters across a brilliantly colored blue sea star in the western Pacific Ocean.
- I remember a sensation like a Carpathian blue slug or a snake, something vile entering me, and I remember vomiting.
- The peacock has fair feathers, but foul feet.
- He looks up at the ceiling, which a Tanzania electric blue gecko is slowly traversing.
- Some exceptions include the rattlesnake, cobalt blue tarantula, water moccasin, and copperhead.
- Greater blue-ringed octopus, chopped up live, and giant water slugs may also be on the menu.
- The little blue heron flapped slowly off across the lake.
- The Spix’s macaw, or the little blue macaw, can be the most endangered bird in the world.
- For instance, it softens the shells of blue crayfish and exposes them to disease.
- The moor frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.
- The betta fish swim near the bottom.
- You must lose a blue bottle fly to catch a trout.
- He even had his colleagues use a mass spectroscopy machine to evaluate a blue scorpion venom treatment the patient had stumbled on. It turned out to be just blue water.
- A blue dasher with its iridescent wings settled on her shoulder.
- The body meat of the Chesapeake blue crab is white, that of the claws, brownish.
- The blue whale is a vast creature, weighing up to 30 tons.
Blue Animals | Infographic
Animals by Color: Blue Animals
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Blue is the most popular color in the world. It’s one of the most neutral and pleasing colors to our eyes, so people from all over the world have it as their favorite color.
This color is also one of the most commonly seen colors out there. However, you don’t often see it on animals, so seeing animals that are blue can be exciting and interesting. Many people connect the color blue with poisonous animals, but as you’ll see from this list, this is not necessarily true!
1. Agama
| Scientific Name | Agama agama |
| Classification | Reptile |
| Size | 12-18 inches |
| Habitat | Forest, rocks |
In 1758, Linnaeus first described the agama as Lacerta Agama; the description was later changed to Agama agama, which we still use today. This reptile is found in most Sub-Saharan countries where it will feed on insects and other smaller animals. It’s particularly known for its beautiful blue body.
2. Betta Fish
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Classification | Fish |
| Size | 3.1 inches |
| Habitat | Freshwaters (Thailand) |
The betta fish also called the Siamese fighting fish, is arguably one of the most beautiful fish species in the world. It is known for its aggressive character – so much so that in the past, people from Thailand used these fish to pit them against each other as they arranged fights. But this doesn’t take away from the beauty of this animal, which is often seen in aquariums all over the world!
3. Bluebird
| Scientific Name | Sialia |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | Up to 12 inches |
| Habitat | Forests |
The bluebird is one of the most common bird species in the world. It is found in mixed forests in the United States, Europe, and Asia. They also like open areas with some forestation. Up until the 1970s, bluebirds were one of the most common bird species but in the years after, their populations have begun to shrink significantly.
4. Blue Bottle Fly
| Scientific Name | Calliphora vomitoria |
| Classification | Insect |
| Size | 9/16 inch |
| Habitat | Rural areas |
The bluebottle fly is commonly found around most parts of the world. It strives in the warmer parts of the month where it mostly lives in rural areas. You’ll see that this type of fly will often have blue reflective materials on its back, which will make it appear as though it is blue with some parts of black and red.
5. Blue Crab
| Scientific Name | Callinectes sapidus |
| Classification | Crustacean |
| Size | 9 inch |
| Habitat | Ocean |
The Callinectes sapidus, or the blue crab, is one of the most widely-eaten seafood in the United States, but also around the world. This crab has blue coloration on its body. With climate change well underway, the blue crab is deemed to be one of the few species in the world that will do well in the future.
6. Blue Dacnis
| Scientific Name | Dacnis cayana |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 5 inches |
| Habitat | Forests |
The blue dacnis is one of the most attractive bird species in the world. This bird lives in forests of Central and South America and it carries a blue and black coloration. Adult females, meanwhile, are green and blue.
7. Blue Glaucus
| Scientific Name | Glaucus atlanticus |
| Classification | Gastropod |
| Venom | High |
| Size | 1.2 inches |
| Habitat | Ocean |
The blue glaucus is one of the most interesting species on this list. It’s a relatively small animal that lives in deep waters, where it feeds on the previously-mentioned Portuguese man o’war. It can produce a more potent venom than the Portuguese man o’war, so it’s best to be careful of this little beauty!
8. Blue Iguana
| Scientific Name | Cyclura lewisi |
| Classification | Reptile |
| Size | 5 feet |
| Habitat | Forests and coastal areas |
The blue iguana is endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. Throughout its history, it has been pushed further into the forests by humans and their building of roads, which means that today, the iguana is an endangered species. The blue iguana is a herbivorous animal and is not harmful to humans at all.
9. Blue Jay
| Scientific Name | Cyanocitta cristatta |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Habitat | Mixed forest |
The blue jay might be one of the most pleasing animals to the eye on this list. This beautiful bird is seen year-round in most states of the United States. It has a mostly blue body with some white and black patterns. It’s known for its loud but pleasant cry and its gregarious nature, as well as a relatively harmless attitude to its surroundings.
Related Article: Do Blue Jay Eat Lizards?
10. Blue Lobster (Blue Crayfish)
| Scientific Name | Procambarus alleni |
| Classification | Crustaceans |
| Size | 5 inches |
| Habitat | Waters of Florida |
The blue lobster, sometimes also called the blue crayfish or the electric blue crayfish is endemic to the waters of Florida. It’s often kept in freshwater aquariums all around the world but particularly in the United States. The species is naturally blue, but it is also selectively bred so that the animals have an even more pronounced shade of blue.
11. Blue Poison Dart Frog
| Scientific Name | Dendrobates tinctorius “azureus” |
| Classification | Amphibian |
| Venom | Medium-High |
| Size | 2 inches |
| Habitat | Rainforest |
The blue poison dart frog is a frog that is mainly found in rainforests, particularly in Suriname. This frog, as its name suggests, carries poison that it uses to kill or paralyze its prey. Unfortunately, this venom can also be highly toxic to humans and thus dangerous. Recently, scientists have been evaluating whether this poison could be used for medicinal purposes.
12. Blue-Ringed Octopus
| Scientific Name | Hapalochlaena lunulata |
| Classification | Cephalopod |
| Venom | High |
| Size | 5-8 inches |
| Habitat | Ocean |
The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most venomous marine species. It can produce tetrodotoxin, which is a powerful toxin that can paralyze a human in a matter of minutes. So despite their small stature and fairly docile nature, the blue-ringed octopus is an animal to avoid.
13. Blue Sea Star (Linckia laevigata)
| Scientific Name | Linckia laevigata |
| Classification | Asteroids |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Habitat | Ocean |
This stunning blue creature can be found in shallow waters near coral reefs and other types of vegetation. There, it will strike a correlation with other species – some might even become parasitic to the blue starfish. Divers see this animal as one of the most stunning sights in the water.
14. Blue-Spotted Salamander
| Scientific Name | Ambystoma laterale |
| Classification | Amphibian |
| Size | Up to 5 ½ inches |
| Habitat | Swamps |
The blue-spotted salamander displays a distinct black coloration with blue spots all over its body. This salamander is found in swampy areas where it has access to water. The tail comprises up to 40% of its body, which is an interesting fact about this animal.
15. Blue Tang
| Scientific Name | Paracanthurus hepatus |
| Classification | Fish |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Habitat | Indopacific Ocean |
The blue tang is one of the most beautiful fish in the world. This fish is entirely blue with black marks on its body and a yellow tail. It is believed that some of these fish are venomous while others don’t carry venom at all. Many fishermen use the fish as a baitfish, although its flesh is not very tasty, so it’s best to just adore the beauty of this animal.
16. Blue Thraoted Macaw
| Scientific Name | Ara ararauna |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Habitat | Rainforests and woodlands |
The macaw is not entirely a blue species – rather, you’ll see that this beautiful parrot has yellow and blue patterns mixed on its body. Macaws are often seen and owned as pets in the West, but this bird is native to rainforests and woodlands of Central and South America, in particular.
17. Blue Whale
| Scientific Name | Balaenoptera musculus |
| Classification | Mammal |
| Size | Up to 90 feet |
| Habitat | Ocean |
The blue whale is considered to be the largest animal to ever exist. This whale has a long and slender body with a gray-blue color pattern. This large mammal is usually seen in deep waters a long way off the coast, so it’s not seen often. It’s also considered to be endangered, so we should keep a close eye on this species in the future!
Read Also: Do Blue Whale Live in Antarctica?
18. Cobalt-Blue Tarantula
| Scientific Name | Cyriopagopus lividus |
| Classification | Arachnid |
| Venom | Medium |
| Size | 5 inches |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforests |
If you’re someone who adores spiders and tarantulas in particular, then you know that tarantulas come in different colors and shapes. The cobalt-blue tarantula is perhaps one of the most popular tarantula species in the world, mainly thanks to its vivid blue coloration that attracts a lot of attention.
19. Humphead Wrasse
| Scientific Name | Cheilinus undulatus |
| Classification | Fish |
| Size | 6 feet |
| Habitat | Ocean |
Last but not least, we have the humphead wrasse. It is the largest living member of the family of Labridae. They can reach up to 6 feet in size, with males usually being larger than females.
20. Indian Peafowl
| Scientific Name | Pavo cristatus |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 39 – 47 inches |
| Habitat | Dry lowlands |
You’ll find the Indian peafowl, or the Indian peacock, all over the Indian subcontinent. It’s particularly common in drier areas. This bird can display its stunning wings of all kinds of colors when it wants to attract breeding partners. After all, it is still a peacock!
Related Article: 22 Birds that Look Like Peacocks
21. Indigo Bunting
| Scientific Name | Passerina cyanea |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 8 inches |
| Habitat | Forests |
Did you know that the indigo bunting can navigate by using stars? It moves around mostly at night when it uses stars to find its way. It’s also one of the most interesting bird species to look at, with an all-blue body which is typical for the males of this species, while females are almost entirely brown.
22. Portuguese Man O’War
| Scientific Name | Physalia physalis |
| Classification | Hydrozoa |
| Venom | High |
| Size | 6 inches (body), up to 165 feet (tentacles) |
| Habitat | Ocean |
The Portuguese man o’war might seem like a lovely blue creature, but don’t be fooled by its appearance. On the surface, it will appear as a little jellyfish and might look like something like a toy, but underneath, it has extremely long tentacles that sometimes stretch to up to 165 feet! It’s also quite venomous, so it’s best to avoid it if you see one.
23. Little Blue Heron
| Scientific Name | Egretta caerulea |
| Classification | Bird |
| Size | 29 inches |
| Habitat | Marshes, swamps, rice fields |
The little blue heron is one of the smallest animals from the genus of Egretta, only reaching the size of about 29 inches when adult. It’s known for its gray-blue coloration pattern with a bit more blue coloration coming around its beak. These herons are very common in most Central and South American countries.
Read Also: Blue Heron Spiritual Meaning & Symbolism
24. Mandarinfish
| Scientific Name | Synchiropus splendidus |
| Classification | Fish |
| Venom | Medium |
| Size | 3 inches |
| Habitat | Ocean |
While the majority of fish are selectively bred so they achieve a more natural and vivid blue color, the mandarin fish is a rare exception. It has the capacity to produce stunning colors using its color glands, making it one of the rarest fish species to do so. It’s also quite hard to keep in aquariums, which is why it’s rare to see it as a pet.
25. Moor Frog
| Scientific Name | Rana arvalis |
| Classification | Amphibian |
| Venom | Medium |
| Size | Up to 3 inches |
| Habitat | Moors |
The moor frog is not exclusively blue. Instead, only the males are colored blue when they are in the breeding season. Nonetheless, many people prefer the blue variation of this animal. Females tend to be brown-red.
26. Morpho
| Scientific Name | Morpho didius |
| Classification | Insect |
| Size | 8 inches |
| Habitat | Tropical forests |
The morpho is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. It belongs to the group of Neotropical butterflies that populate tropical forests of South America. Recently, the tropical forests of South America have been shrinking because of human intervention, which makes the Morpho ever more endangered.
27. Sinai Agama
| Scientific Name | Pseudotrapelus sinaitus |
| Classification | Reptile |
| Size | 7 inches |
| Habitat | Sinai desert |
We’ve already featured the animal called agama on this list, but Sinai agama is a different species. It’s also an all-blue animal that is mostly found in the Sinai desert and other regions around it. To be more precise, the males of this beautiful reptile usually display a blue coloration while the females are gray or yellow.
28. Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
| Scientific Name | Lygodactylus williamsi |
| Classification | Reptile |
| Size | 31 inches |
| Habitat | Kimboza forest (Tanzania) |
The turquoise dwarf gecko, or the Lygodactylus williamsi, is one of the most endangered species in the world. It is only found in about 8 square kilometers of rainforest in Tanzania, so their habitat is pretty limited. It has a typical light-blue body, which has led some people to call it the electric blue gecko.
Conclusion
There are many animals that are blue in this world. Some are larger than others, while some are also more poisonous. There is great variety with blue animals and hopefully, you’ve seen some of the most interesting blue species that nature has to offer.
I am the founder and owner of Fauna Facts. My mission is to write valuable and entertaining information about animals and pets for my audience. I hope you enjoy the site!
If you are thinking of blue animals in nature, certain birds, insects or even reptiles might spring to mind. However, not everything is as it seems. Many blue animals only appear blue to the human eye, but this is due to the dispersion of light. It’s a similar trick of the eye which makes the oceans appear blue, even though the water is actually clear. But whether they are true blue or only appear this way, they are some of the most stunning sights in nature.
AnimalWised brings you our list of 15 blue animals in nature and provides names, characteristics and photos to help you know what to look out for. Keep reading to discover more.
Contents
- Are there blue animals?
- Blue jay
- Blue morpho butterfly
- Tanzania electric blue gecko
- Blue iguana
- Blue coral snake
- Strange blue animals
- Blue dragon
- Greater blue ringed octopus
- Little blue heron
- Peacock
- Blue poison dart frog
- More blue animals
- Blue surgeonfish
- Spix’s Macaw
- Blue crayfish
- Moor frog
- Betta fish
Are there blue animals?
The majority of the animals we consider to be blue actually only appear that way. This is due to something known as structural coloration, a common feature in nature. The structure of the animal’s body creates the illusion of blue or other different colors. In birds, the feathers contain microscopic crystal structures which create the illusion of blue color when light shines on them. Similar occurrences happen on the scales of fish and reptiles.
Structural coloration doesn’t mean animals lack color pigment. Often the coloration is due to the pigment and the light interacting with each other. Certain pigments will look blue when diffused through these structures, even though they are not. One of the best examples of this phenomenon is the chameleon. The chameleon has different types of color-bearing cells called chromatophore. Lower layers have dark melanin and upper layers have yellow and red pigments, but no blue. It is only when the light is refracted through iridophores (iridescent chromatophores) that the structural coloration takes place. The result is often a striking iridescent blue which can help them hide from predators in nature.
There are some species which are true blue. This means they actually have blue pigment which gives them their blue color. Some species of frog and insect have true blue pigment, but they are in the vast minority of animals which appear blue. Whether they appear blue or are actually blue, here follows some of the most beautiful blue animals in nature. We start with blue animals in nature that live in forests.
1. Blue jay
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bird species native to North America. It mainly inhabits forest areas, but they can frequently be observed in certain parks and cities. Its plumage is light blue with black details on the upper body while the abdomen is white. Additionally, their pronounced crest of feathers on the top of the head makes it easier to differentiate them from other species.
Blue jays can feed on almost anything from branches, plants, leaves, flowers and fruits, to worms, chicks of other birds, insects or even human refuse. They build their nests on almost any tree species. Once built, the blue jay will lay a maximum of 5 eggs which incubate within 15 days.
2. Blue morpho butterfly
The blue morpho butterfly (Morpho menelaus) is one of the most beautiful blue animals in the world. They are found in the forests of Central and South America. They are characterized by the blue color of their wings and their size which can reach up to 20 cm in length. As one of the largest butterfly species in the world, they are renowned in arts and media. Despite their ability of flight, they spend the majority of their lives on the forest floor or among bushes. There they find their food which consists mainly of caterpillars, plants and nectar.
If you want to know more about the blue morpho and butterflies in general, you can check out these fascinating facts about butterflies.
3. Tanzania electric blue gecko
William’s dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) is a reptile native to the island of Tanzania. There it lives in the Kimboza forest in a single type of tree the Pandanus rabaiensis. Geckos are very small animals, measuring only 10 cm in length. Their tail is long relative to the body and the legs allow it to move with great speed through the terrain. They are aggressive animals with their mating partners, especially males.
The color of the males is bright blue, while the females can vary in green and brown tones. However, both are orange on the lower part of their body. Their color has made them very desirable in the pet trade which is paryl whey they are now threatened. Known as electric blue gecko as a pet, they are heavily regulated in many areas to try to help conservation.
4. Blue iguana
The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is a reptile native to the Grand Cayman Island, where it lives both in forests and in gardens, roads and in the vicinity of towns. They hide in cavities found in trees, rocks or soil. It is one of the herbivorous blue animals in nature feeding on fruits, seeds, flowers and plants.
They are also one of the largest types of iguana, measuring 1.5 m long. Their tail is the longest of all iguanas being 60 cm at length in adults. The blue hue of this species is accentuated during mating season when colors vary between gray and dark blue. They are excellent climbers and move with great ease and agility.
5. Blue coral snake
The blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgata) is one of the most beautiful and dangerous snake species i the world. Their deadliness is due to their potentially lethal poison. This coral snake is over a meter in length and the hue of its scales varies between dark blue and black. However, their head and tail are deep red. It is one of the blue animals in nature that live in forests of countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand where they feed on other snakes.
Strange blue animals
In nature there are animals with such strange characteristics it is difficult to believe that they are from this world. However, their strangeness is simply because they are not well-known to people.
Here the blue animals in nature which can be considered strange:
6. Blue dragon
The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus), you may be surprised to know, is not actually a dragon. It is actually a blue sea slug which is characterized by its blue and silver hues. They measure about 4 cm long and lives in temperate waters around the world. Although it is most commonly found around the European, African and Australian coasts.
Glaucus is a genus of sea slug and there are a few blue glaucus animals. This species has a small bladder which is located in its stomach which inflates and deflates. This allows them to stay afloat in water without touching the surface. As with many other sea slugs, they can absorb the venom of other animals and use it for themselves, often to a more lethal extent.
7. Greater blue ringed octopus
The greater blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata ) is a species that measures 10 cm in length and weighs 80 g. As the name implies, this animal has a variety of blue rings around its skin, while the rest of its body has yellowish or reddish tones.
Animals in nature have various habitats. Among the blue animals in the ocean, this octopus stands out for being flexible and fast. They are also able to move easily through its environment. In addition, they are very territorial, unlike the rest of octopus species. Their diet is rich in diversity, eating various shrimp, fish and crustaceans which they catch thanks to their powerful tentacles and its lethal poison.
8. Little blue heron
The little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) is a long necked bird with long legs and a sharp beak. This beak is noted for its beautiful blue coloration. They are carnivorous and consumes fish, frogs, lizards and turtles. The reproduction phase occurs between the months of June to September, at which time it lays 2 to 4 eggs. The blue color is not the only hallmark of this animal, since it also measures 60 cm long and weighs around 300 g.
9. Peacock
The peacock (Pavo cristatus) is perhaps one of the most striking animals in the world, both for its elegant appearance and for its colorful plumage. This animal displays sexual dimorphism, a trait which means females and males are different in morphology. Females are smaller than males and lack the striking feathers for which they are so famous. This is why only the males are considered blue animals.
The tail contains beautiful feathers which display a variety of colors, including blue, but the body of the male is almost entirely blue. They use their tails in an incredible mating ritual which involves a complicated series of dances and moves. They are native to the Asian continent, but can now be found almost anywhere in the world.
10. Blue poison dart frog
The blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) is an amphibian that is characterized by its metallic blue color. In nature, this color is used to warn potential predators of the great danger they would be in if they tried to eat them. The poison is secreted through the skin, so merely touching the frog can de deadly. They live in Suriname in forested and humid areas, close to water sources. It is very common to observe them both on the ground or climbing on trees. As with most frog species, they lay their eggs near water sources. They can live up to 8 years of age in the wild.
More blue animals
We finish by providing adding five additional blue animals in nature you may or may not have heard of. Do you recognize any of them?
11. Blue surgeonfish
The blue surgeonfish (paracanthurus) is a saltwater fish most prized for its intense blue color which contrasts with the yellow color of its tail. They measure around 40 cm in length and lead a solitary lifestyle, inhabiting the Pacific reefs. They do not show an obvious sexual dimorphism, but it is the males who perform most of the courtship ritual. Also known as the blue tang, you may know them as the basis for the character Dory in the Disney movie Finding Nemo.
12. Spix’s Macaw
The spix’s macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is a another blue animal species from nature that became popular thanks to a movie. This one is the animated film Rio. However, this animal, known as «arara» in their home country, is in critical danger of extinction as there are hardly any specimens left. Some of the causes are deforestation, pollution, climate change, lack of resources and illegal trafficking of the species.
13. Blue crayfish
The blue crayfish (Procambarus alleni) is an endemic species of Florida, United States. It is relatively common as an aquarium animal in their home country. Although the species is brown in the wild, selective breeding has provided this bright cobalt blue color.
14. Moor frog
The Moor frog (Rana arvalis) is an amphibian that can be found mainly in Europe and Asia. It is small in size, measuring between 5.5 and 6 cm. They have a smooth body with brown and reddish tones. However, during a short period of time, during the reproduction, the male acquires a bright blue hue and then regains its usual colors. This makes it one of the few temporarily blue animals on our list.
15. Betta fish
While not all betta fish are blue, there are some which display and incredible blue color. This varies according to species and colors can change within the same species. To know more, look at the different types of betta fish and see the different range of their colors.
If you want to read similar articles to 15 Blue Animals in Nature, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
Bibliography
- Gaucher, P. & MacCulloch, R. 2010. Dendrobates tinctorius . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T55204A11265402. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T55204A11265402.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
- BirdLife International 2017. Egretta caerulea (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22696944A118857172. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22696944A118857172.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
- Allcock, L., Taite, M. & Allen, G. 2018. Hapalochlaena lunulata . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T163293A994503. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T163293A994503.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
- Burton, FJ 2012. Cyclura Lewis . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T44275A2994409. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T44275A2994409.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
- McIlwain, J., Choat, JH, Abesamis, R., Clements, KD, Myers, R., Nanola, C., Rocha, LA, Russell, B. & Stockwell, B. 2012. Paracanthurus hepatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T177972A1507676. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177972A1507676.en. Downloaded on 27 August 2019.
- BirdLife International 2018. Cyanopsitta spixii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22685533A130431750. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22685533A130431750.en. Downloaded on 27 August 2019.
The color blue is one of the rarest occurring colors in nature. And it is even more limited in the animal kingdom. Sure, you can make the case that what about the skies and the oceans?
But these elements of our planet are not true blue but only appear blue to our eyes. Perhaps this may sound counter-intuitive, but the appearance of the sky and ocean as blue is only a result of the unique interaction their constituent particles have with sunlight.
The sky consists of several colorless gases and molecules. These molecules scatter blue light more effectively because of its short wavelength as opposed to red light, which has a longer wavelength, hence the blue color.
In the case of the oceans, we can agree that water is colorless. But the ocean’s depths appear blue as the red part of the light spectrum is absorbed by the water. Thus, allowing blue light to be reflected all through. Now you may ask, what does all this have to do with endangered blue animals?
Like the skies and oceans, most animals on this list only gain their blue color from their interaction with light. And most of them have no actual blue color or pigmentation.
They are able to do this by having a structural coloration. And a physical phenomenon known as iridescence makes it possible. Therefore, their appearance is primarily due to our visual perception more than anything else.
Structural Coloration and Iridescence In Blue Animals
Structural coloration occurs among animals, plants, and some species of plankton. Animals with structural coloration have evolved specially structured outer surfaces. They feature microscopic pores capable of interfering with light waves. These pores do so in such a way as to reflect only the blue end of the color spectrum.
On the other hand, iridescence is a consequence of structural coloration. It is responsible for the differential dispersion of light as it hits the skin and feathers of structurally colored animals.
Most Endangered Blue Animals
Though their hue is rare in nature, many of the following animals are not naturally scarce. However, human activities such as logging, trophy hunting, wildlife pet trading, and commercial fishing, coupled with factors like climate change and lack of genetic diversity, have diminished their populations at an alarming rate.
The IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature] classified these animals as threatened or near threatened. An international body responsible for nature conservation.
10. Blue Crane (Grus paradise)
Sometimes known as the paradise crane or Stanley crane, this ground-dwelling bird is native only to southern Africa. A large majority are found in South Africa.
Few blue cranes are found in other South African countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Perhaps this is why the blue crane holds the title of South Africa’s national bird. Besides, the blue crane is culturally significant to many of the local tribes in the country. And local conservationists have intensified efforts to improve this blue animal’s vulnerable status on the IUCN Red list.
In contrast to many other crane species, the blue crane does not migrate over long distances for breeding. They also do so for feeding purposes. They are altitudinal migrants in that they usually nest and feed in grasslands at high altitudes. But these birds move down to planes with lower altitudes and warmer temperatures during winter.
Mating in this species typically follows an elaborate courtship ritual. And both parents guard and incubate their eggs till they hatch. Also, the eggs hardly number above two [numbers below or above are uncommon]. And when they mature, they can grow up to 120cm tall, with a wingspan of 200cm.
Furthermore, the blue crane’s mode of feeding is not consistent. They can be herbivorous or carnivorous, depending on the proximity and availability of food resources.
9. Antarctic Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
With record lengths of up to 30m and weighing up to 200 tons, the Antarctic blue whale is the most immense sea or land animal in recorded history. It is 30 times bigger than the African elephant, the most giant land animal, and even larger than the giant prehistoric dinosaurs.
The blue whale only looks true blue when underwater, perhaps due to blue light being more visible underwater. Yet, when these animals come to the water’s surface for oxygen, they appear grayish-blue.
Even though they are the earth’s most giant animals, the Antarctic blue whale’s dietary habit is somewhat baffling. They are picky eaters who almost exclusively feed on Krill [small crustaceans that live in large groups called swarms], though sometimes tiny fish and copepods make up their diet.
In contrast to other whales at the top of the marine food chain, like killer whales or sperm whales, the blue whale has no teeth and instead has prickly baleen plates, which it uses to filter seawater when hunting for krill.
Being mammals, the blue whale looks after its young and provides milk for newborns after reproduction. Also, they are primarily solitary and highly monogamous in their mating habits, using loud vocalizations to keep track of mates and other nearby blue whales.
Despite this species being distributed across the southern hemisphere from Antarctica to Australia and New Zealand, they are still considered endangered, primarily due to the reduction of their population by commercial whaling.
8. Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congensis)
Native to the Congo lowland forests of Africa, this specie represents one of the only three species of Peafowls in existence today, the others being the Indian and Indonesian peafowl.
You probably recognize its Asian counterparts more readily because of their long extravagant plumage. Nevertheless, what the African Peafowl lacks in showiness, it makes up for with distinctiveness.
Unlike other peafowl species, the Congo peafowl is smaller, has a shorter tail, and its feathers have no Ocelli [multi-colored eye spots], resembling an immature Asian peafowl.
The feathers of the African peafowl appear deep blue with a green and violet tinge, an effect of selective structural coloration. However, female peahens do have considerably less blue shade in their plumage.
These blue animals are omnivores, feeding on seeds, fruits, insects, amphibians, and small reptiles in the limited geography which they have found.
Moreso, conservationists have classified this species as vulnerable, and its population decline has been attributed to habitat loss caused by farming, mining, and logging in the Congo Basin and associated surroundings.
7. Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
Also known as the Grand Canyon rock iguana, the blue iguana is a lizard endemic only to the Grand Cayman Islands. This reptile gets its name from its colors, which range from turquoise blue to dark grey in males and pale blue to olive green in females.
Interestingly though, the blue iguana doesn’t possess any blue skin pigmentation. Its blue color becomes prominent when the animal changes its skin’s crystal cell structure, enabling it to reflect blue colors.
It uses this structural coloration to evoke different moods, the most important of which is its readiness to mate. Hence, the blue color is most prominent from April to June, which is its breeding season.
At maturity, this solitary herbivore can grow up to 150cm and weigh up to 15 kg. Yet its size doesn’t deter predators like dogs and feral cats from hunting it as prey.
They love lowland grasslands close to a water source where they can easily feed on flowers, fruits, and leaves from within reach of trees.
6. Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii)
Named after the German naturalist Johann Baptiste Von Spix, who discovered it in 1819. This parrot bird is the rarest macaw species, and with barely over 200 individuals left, the IUCN considers it critically endangered.
Native to the tropical forest of Brazil, this structurally colored blue animal is the inspiration behind the lead character in Rio, the 2011 Hollywood animation film. Macaws are so endearing that the movie got a 2016 sequel.
Recently, due to selective and captive breeding, conservationists have been able to reintroduce the Spix’s macaw into the forests of Brazil. In the wild, these birds typically live in small family groups where they forage together on fruits, nuts, and seeds. When mature, they can grow up to 56cm long and weigh up to 320g.
This non-migratory sedentary bird has a lifespan that ranges between 25 – 40 years, and they are capable of mimicry, often imitating other songbirds and even human speech.
The primary threat to these animals’ existence is illegal captivity by private pet traders. Because they are usually social animals, they don’t fare well alone in captivity, hence their dwindling population.
5. Blue American Lobster (Homarus americanus)
The inclusion of the Blue American lobster in this list is debatable, and this is because members of the genus H. americanus typically have red coloration. Another reason is that the entire specie is considered of most minor concern by the IUCN.
Notwithstanding, the blue American lobster deserves mention because this animal is so rare that the chances of it occurring in nature is 1 in 2 million. Likewise, the chances of catching one are even slimmer at one in 200 million.
For this reason, blue lobsters are rarely found in the wild and are mostly seen only in aquariums and conservatories.
The blue lobster gets its color due to a genetic mutation that makes it produce an inordinate amount of a protein that combines with Astaxanthin [its natural red pigment] to form a blue compound known as Crustacyanin.
Though red lobsters are almost everywhere and regularly sold as an expensive delicacy, blue lobsters caught alive are either put in aquariums or released back into the ocean because of their rare status.
4. Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho melaneus)
The blue morpho butterfly is endemic to the tropical rainforest and savannah of Central and South America, particularly the Amazon Forest and Cerrado savannah of Brazil.
With a wingspan of 5-8 inches, it is the most giant butterfly in the Morpho genus [which contains over 30 species], and it is considered one of the largest butterflies of any species in the world. They feed mainly on rotting fruits and nectar near the forest floor and lay their eggs on the underside of low-growing plants.
M.morpho has arguably the most ingenious use of iridescent coloring in butterflies. Though its dorsal wings are bright blue with black edges, its underside is brown with big pronounced eyespots.
This blue-brown coloration makes the blue morpho butterfly look like it’s disappearing and reappearing when flying. When at rest, the eyespot under the wings makes it look intimidating to potential predators.
Generally, this strikingly beautiful blue animal is preyed upon by frogs, lizards, and birds, but the primary cause of this species’ endangerment remains deforestation and captivity by private collectors.
3. Tahitian Lorikeet (Vini peruviana)
Also called the blue lorikeet, this medium-sized arboreal parrot is native to Tahiti and surrounding islands in the South Pacific, including French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.
The bird is only 18cm long with dark blue plumage and white colors around its face, throat, and chest. The blue lorikeet typically lives in flocks, roosting on coconut palm trees, and feeding on nectar and pollen. They also feed on bay cedar, mulberries, and sometimes tiny insects.
The IUCN classifies the species as vulnerable and its decline is due to the introduction of invasive species competing with it for food and avian malaria caused by mosquitoes.
2. Blue Glaucus (Glaucus atlanticus)
Commonly known as the blue sea slug or blue sea dragon, the blue glaucus is a nudibranch [soft-bodied gastropod mollusc] found in the pelagic zones of temperate seas and oceans around the world.
They lack an appendage for movement and move with the aid of a gas-filled sac in their stomachs which helps them float across the ocean’s surface. Like most nudibranchs, this species is hermaphroditic, and both individuals lay eggs after mating.
They can be very venomous, yet curiously they don’t create their venom. They get their poison from feeding on the Portuguese man of war, which is a venomous hydrozoan.
The blue glaucus is immune to the hydrozoan’s venom so that it can swallow and store the man o’ war’s nematocyst in its finger-like cerata. It uses this venom to hunt for other prey and protect itself from attack by predators.
This floating blue animal is listed as endangered by the IUCN, the primary cause of population decline being pollution, ocean acidification, and pet trading.
1. Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)
Also known as the Tanzanian blue gecko, this species is native to a small patch of the Tanzanian forest, typically found on screwpine trees. Though it is termed electric, the electric blue gecko isn’t electrogenic, and its name only captures the vibrancy of its blue colors.
The species’ steadfast commitment to a single territory which continues to reduce in size, is perhaps why the blue gecko is fast dwindling in population and considered critically endangered.
Dominant males of the specie are bright blue with black throat stripes and orange underbellies. However, females have a more bronze-brown to green color with no throat stripes.
They are very small and can only grow up to 2-3 inches at full maturity, though their considerably long tails make them super fast runners and gliders.
Summary of the most endangered blue animals
We hope you had the best time learning about these blue animals threatened by extinction as a result of several different factors.
If you learned something new, there is even more exciting stuff to be discovered in this article about black animals or white animals around the world.
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Hi there, I’m Jan, one of the two guys who run this site.
As a little kid, I fell in love with nature, wildlife, and animals. Living in the USA, South Africa, and Germany have me the opportunity to discover the world’s Wildlife. My favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Siberian Tigers, and Great White Sharks.
I’m a certified PADI Open Water Diver and hold a Master of Science in Economics.
Blue is one of the most beautiful colors, and not many animals are covered entirely in this color. That is why I only bring 10 blue animals to the list for you guys today, and they are absolutely stunning. Since blue pigment coloration is rare among animals, creatures with blue colors are remarkably unique and magnificent. From blue animals in the water to the ones that roam the land and sky, I have 10 of the best of them today. Check out the list and let me know which you think is the most beautiful blue animals.
1Blue Dacnis
The combination of light blue and dark blue makes this bird look exceptionally glorious. Their natural habitat is in Central America from Nicaragua to Panama and South America. These beautiful blue birds inhabit forests and other woodlands, and they construct bulky nests that are typically in trees. Both males and females share an equal part in taking care of their offspring. The female incubates the eggs alone while the male feeds her and helps to raise the young. These birds feed on insects gleaned from foliage, flowers, and bromeliads, sometimes they also eat fruits which they usually swallow whole. This bird species is now threatened, and there are less than 10,000 mature individuals in the wild these days.
Fun Fact: Only the male Blue Dacnis is blue in color, the females have mostly green plumage.
2Blue Dragon
Goes by many nicknames, this blue angel of the sea is a real beauty when it comes to its color and appearance. Looks just like a creature coming straight out of Pokemon, the blue dragon is a species of sea slug. This sea slug is not entirely blue in color, they have silver gray color on its dorsal side as well. The interesting thing about the blue dragon is that they float upside down, and their coloration helps them to camouflage. This is not their only defense mechanism, the sea slug can also sting their predators. They feed on venomous siphonophores and Portuguese man o’ wars, and that is how they got their venom. The blue dragon sea slugs are very beautiful yet very dangerous, and you can find them throughout oceans around the world.
3Blue Lobster
Blue lobsters are very rare, and that is why their price is also high especially in restaurants. The blue lobsters are the mutant or variant of American lobsters, and there is only one blue lobster in 200 million lobsters. That is why the chance of catching one of these is also very rare, like once in 10 years or even longer. Because of their rarity, some that have been caught were sold at the price of over $500. Just like most lobsters, the blue lobsters never stop growing so there is always a chance of catching them. Another interesting thing about them is that they are able to generate limbs, especially their claws. It takes some time, but they can regenerate their lost limbs the same way lizards do with their tails.
4Blue Morpho Butterfly
The beauty is real when you look at this gorgeous blue butterfly with black edges here. Blue morpho butterfly is among the largest butterflies in the world, and of course, the most beautiful butterflies. The unique thing about this adorable creature is the vivid iridescent blue coloring that reflects light. So when they fly, the contrasting bright blue and dull brown colors flash which makes it look as if they appear and disappear. You can find them throughout forests of South and Central America especially Brazil, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.
Fun Fact: Only the male morpho butterflies are blue in color.
5Blue Poison Dart Frog
In animal kingdom, bright color means “I am toxic, so don’t eat me.”, and this is exactly what the color of the blue poison dart frog says. You can easily recognize them by their blue coloration, and darker on the limbs and belly. You can find these blue frogs hiding among boulders and debris near streams and forest floors in rainforests in Central and South America. Just like their name suggests, blue poison dart frogs are poisonous; and their poison can paralyze and kill predators. The frogs do not create the poisons by themselves, it actually comes from their diet of the highly poisonous ants in the world.
Small yet territorial, these blue frogs are very aggressive both towards their own species and others. These frogs use a series of calls, chases, and wrestling to ward off intruders in their territory. The thing is that only the adults are poisonous, the tadpoles contain no toxins at all. That makes them fall prey to other amphibians, reptiles, and predatory invertebrates. Blue poison dart frogs feed on ants, beetles, flies, mites, spiders, termites, maggots, and caterpillars. They use their long sticky tongue that darts out to zap the meal before swallowing them whole. Their population is now threatened due to the collection of the pet trade, and habitat destruction.
6Blue Starfish
As kids, sea stars or starfish are part of our drawings in our childhood for the fact that they are beautiful. Blue starfish is a perfect simple of blue animals with stunning appearance due to their coloration. The distinctive bright blue color of the blue starfish is very striking, and it is without a doubt they are stunning. Just like most starfish, this one tends to be solitary, and they usually hide on the rocks during the day. This starfish species inhabit mainly shallow tropical water of no more than 60 meters. You can find them in the Indian and Pacific Ocean,s especially in their common locations from Africa to the Hawaiian waters.
7Carpathian Blue Slug
Found in the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe, these blue slugs are one unique blue animals to look at. Their coloration is so beautiful, and they are very large land slugs that can grow up to 140mm which is big for slugs. The male and female mate in the soil, and they lay between 30 and 80 eggs in a clutch. Then the pair died after the egg deposition, how strange is that right? Blue slugs are very rare, and that is why these mollusks are on our list of beautiful blue animals.
8Eastern Blue Groper
With the gorgeous bright blue color of the adult males, this fish species is definitely one of a kind. Blue gropers have thick bodies, peg teeth, heavy scales, large tails, and thick lips. Their blue coloration can be deep navy blue or cobalt blue, and they are beautiful either way. The fascinating thing about this fish species is that they begin life as females, and they change their sex as they mature. Usually, there is only one or two male blue gropers in an area along with a larger number of females. In case the dominant male dies, the largest female will grow, change color, change sex, and become the dominant male instead. Nature is crazy and riveting at the same time, isn’t it?
9Hyacinth Macaw
When it comes to blue birds, no beauty can compare to the Hyacinth Macaw of South America. This blue parrot is not only among the most beautiful blue animals but also the largest parrots in the world as well. Both of their reputations make them one interesting creatures to learn about. You can find them in the forests and grasslands of South America and south of the Amazon River. These birds are very intelligent, and they can even use their feet just like us using our hands. Plus with their strong beaks, there are many things that this parrot species can do from climbing to feeding.
In the wild especially in the animal kingdom, beauty comes with consequences. As for these blue birds, their population declines these years due to hunting and trapping, habitat loss, and hydroelectric systems development. Let’s just hope they won’t go extinct, such beauty really should last longer.
10Little Blue Heron
When it is young, little blue herons are white before they change to a dark slate-blue plumage in their adult stage. This bird species has long legs, and they have a long blue or greyish bill with a black tip. Adult little blue herons have blue-gray plumage along with dark blue legs and feet. Little blue herons nest in colonies, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The females lay from 3 to 7 light blue eggs, and both the males and females incubate the eggs for about three weeks. The hatchlets stay in the nests for three more weeks, and they feed on fish, frogs, crustaceans, small rodents, and insects. These beautiful birds were hunted in the past for their feathers which were used in hat-making. As for now, their main threats are the degradation and loss of freshwater wetlands.
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