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9 Animals Whose Blood Isn’t Red!

Animals with no red blood
Animals with no red blood. Image created by @animalsaroundtheglobe via Midjourney

In the natural world, not all blood is red. Various animals have evolved with unique blood colors that serve different purposes. From the blue blood of the horseshoe crab to the green blood of the skink, these creatures showcase the incredible diversity of life. Let’s explore 9 animals with blood that isn’t red and uncover some astonishing facts about them.

Octopus: Blue Blood Wonders

Octopus
Octopus. Image via Depositphotos

Octopuses have blue blood due to a copper-based molecule called hemocyanin. This helps them survive in low-oxygen environments. Their flexible bodies and clever escape tactics make them fascinating creatures of the sea.

Why is octopus blood blue?

Octopus
Octopus. Image via Depositphotos

Octopus blood contains hemocyanin, which carries oxygen more efficiently in cold water than haemoglobin.

Horseshoe Crab: Medical Marvels

Horseshoe Crab.
Horseshoe Crab. Image via Depositphotos

Horseshoe crabs have blue blood, which is used in medical research to detect bacterial contamination. Their blood contains copper-based hemocyanin and has unique clotting properties.

How is horseshoe crab blood used in medicine?

Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe Crab. Image via Depositphotos

Horseshoe crab blood is used to test for bacterial endotoxins in medical equipment and vaccines.

New Guinea Green Tree Python: Vivid Transformation

New Guinea Green Tree Python
Green Tree Python, morelia viridis. Image via Depositphotos

While their blood is not blue or green, these pythons start life in bright colors that change as they mature. Their vibrant hues help them blend into their rainforest environment.

Do green tree pythons have unique blood?

New Guinea Green Tree Python
GREEN TREE PHYTON morelia viridis, ADULT STANDING ON BRANCH. Image via Depositphotos

No, their blood is red, but their color transformation is remarkable.

Icefish: Clear Blood Mysteries

Icefish
Icefish. Image via Tsukasa Foods Co. Ltd.

Icefish have transparent blood because they lack hemoglobin. Instead, they rely on oxygen absorption through their skin to survive in the cold Antarctic waters.

Why is icefish blood clear?

Icefish
Icefish. Image via Depositphotos

Icefish lack haemoglobin, making their blood clear and better suited for their oxygen-rich environment.

Beetles: Colorful Inhabitant

Beetle
Insect specimen of a rhinoceros beetles. Image via Depositphotos

While beetle blood, or hemolymph, is usually clear or yellowish, some beetles have greenish blood due to plant-based diets. Beetles are diverse and adapted to many environments.

Do beetles have colored blood?

Beetle
Green beetle isolated on white background. Image via Depositphotos

Some beetles have hemolymph that can appear greenish due to pigments from their diet.

Peanut Worm: Simple Lifeforms

Peanut Worm
Peanut Worm. Image via Depositphotos

Peanut worms have clear or slightly colored blood. These marine creatures live in burrows and filter feed on organic particles.

What color is peanut worm blood?

Peanut Worm
Peanut Worm. Image via Depositphotos

Peanut worm blood is typically clear or slightly yellow.

Brachiopod: Ancient Blood

Brachiopod
Brachiopod. Image via Depositphotos

Brachiopods have clear or slightly yellow blood. These marine animals have been around for millions of years, resembling clams but belonging to a different group.

Is brachiopod blood unique?

Brachiopod
Brachiopod. Terebratalia_transversa. Image via Depositphotos

Brachiopod blood is usually clear or slightly yellow, not red like many other animals.

Sea Cucumber: Ocean Cleaners

Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber. Image via Depositphotos

Sea cucumbers have colorless blood. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems by recycling nutrients and can regenerate their organs if threatened.

What color is sea cucumber blood?

Sea cucumber
Sea cucumber is isolated on white background.. Image via Depositphotos

Sea cucumber blood is typically colorless or slightly yellow.

Flatworm: Regenerative Wonders

Flatworm.
Flatworm. Image via Depositphotos

Flatworms have clear or white blood. They are known for their ability to regenerate lost body parts, making them fascinating for scientific study.

Can flatworms regenerate lost parts?

Flatworm
Flatworm. Image via Depositphotos

Yes, many flatworms can regenerate lost body parts, a process that is still being studied.

Green-Blooded Skink: Unique Chemistry

Blue tongued skink lying on the ground / Tiliqua scincoides. Image via Depositphotos

The green-blooded skink has green blood due to high levels of biliverdin, a bile pigment. This unique blood chemistry helps them survive in their specific environment.

Why is the skink’s blood green?

Skink at Doi Inthanon National park in Chiang Mai Thailand
Skink at Doi Inthanon National park in Chiang Mai Thailand. Image via Depositphotos

The skink’s blood contains biliverdin, which gives it a green color and may help protect against parasites.

The natural world is full of wonders, and these ten animals with non-red blood are just a glimpse into its diversity. From blue-blooded octopuses to green-blooded skinks, each creature has evolved unique traits to survive. By learning about these extraordinary animals, we gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible variety of life on Earth.

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