The process, known as vasodilation, allows more blood to flow through the peripheral arteries and dissipate heat into the cooler environment, resulting in the visible pink belly against their otherwise white skin.
Regarding the partially gray and partially pink dolphin photographed by Thompson, Dr. Fougeres clarified that it is a regular bottlenose dolphin, one of the nine distinct species found in the Gulf of Mexico, according to NOAA data.
Pinky is an Albino
Speculation arose among Facebook users about Gustin’s sighting of a completely pink dolphin, suggesting it might be “Pinky,” a famous bottlenose dolphin first spotted in southwestern Louisiana in 2007.
According to National Geographic Pinky is widely believed to be an albino dolphin.
Albinism is a genetic condition that leads to minimal or no production of melanin, the pigment responsible for determining skin, hair, and eye color, The National Institute of Health explains.
