All Things Pink Trivia Quiz

Answer: A bowl

The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a wading bird recognized for its vivid pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill. It inhabits shallow wetlands such as coastal marshes, mangroves, estuaries, and tidal lagoons, favouring areas with brackish or saltwater and muddy bottoms. Its range stretches from the Gulf Coast of the United States - particularly Texas, Louisiana, and Florida - through Mexico and the Caribbean, and southward into Central and South America as far as Argentina.

The spoonbill's pink coloration is a result of carotenoid pigments obtained from its diet, which consists mainly of crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates that feed on algae. The intensity of the color varies depending on the availability of these pigment-rich foods. With its broad, flattened bill, the spoonbill sweeps through shallow water to capture small fish, insects, and crustaceans.

And, as noted, the group term for spoonbills (of all varieties) is a bowl, which goes well with spoons.

Answer: Orchid mantis

The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is an beautiful insect celebrated for its remarkable camouflage, which makes it resemble the petals of an orchid flower. This species is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, particularly in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It thrives in warm, humid environments where flowering plants are abundant, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

The mantis uses this floral mimicry as a hunting strategy, luring pollinating insects close enough to strike and maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations. Its coloration ranges from white to pink, often with subtle purple accents, and can shift slightly depending on age, sex, and environmental conditions.

Answer: Baiji

The Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), commonly called the boto or bufeo, is a freshwater species found throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, with subspecies adapted to specific regions such as the Bolivian upper Madeira and the Orinoco system. These dolphins thrive in diverse habitats, including main river channels, tributaries, lakes, and seasonally flooded forests, moving with water levels during wet and dry seasons. They are highly flexible swimmers, aided by unique skeletal adaptations, and are known for their pinkish coloration, which becomes more pronounced in mature males.

In Amazonian folklore, the pink river dolphin is believed to be a mystical shapeshifter. By night, it transforms into a charming, well-dressed man - sometimes wearing a hat to conceal its blowhole - who emerges from the river to seduce young women at celebrations or along the banks. These enchanting visits often result in unexpected pregnancies, and in some communities, a child born out of wedlock is still called a 'child of the boto.'

Answer: Leucistic

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an amphibian native to the remnants of ancient lakes in Mexico, most notably Lake Xochimilco. Unlike most salamanders, it remains in its larval stage throughout life, retaining its feathery external gills and aquatic habits. This trait, known as neoteny, makes the axolotl a biological marvel and a subject of scientific fascination.

Axolotls display a wide range of colour variations. The wild type is brown or tan with mottled green tones, blending perfectly with its natural environment. Captive breeding has introduced striking morphs, including the golden albino with shimmering yellow hues, the melanoid with a deep, uniform black tone, and rare piebald individuals with patchy pigmentation. Among these, the leucistic variant stands out as the most iconic. Leucistic axolotls have a soft pink or white body, delicate red gills, and dark eyes, giving them an almost ethereal appearance. Unlike true albinos, they retain some pigmentation in the eyes, reducing light sensitivity and adding to their distinctive charm. This morph has become a favorite in aquaria and research settings.

Answer: 1 in 500

The pink katydid (Amblycorypha oblongifolia) is a rare colour variation of the common oblong-winged katydid, distinguished by its striking rosy hue. This unusual coloration, caused by a genetic mutation known as erythrism, makes it stand out in its typically green environment.

Found in meadows, woodlands, and gardens across parts of North America, the pink katydid relies on dense vegetation for camouflage despite its vivid color. It is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and occasionally fruit. Its long, leaf-like wings and powerful hind legs aid in both concealment and escape, while its nocturnal habits reduce exposure to predators.

Answer: True

Bargibanti's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a tiny marine species celebrated for its exceptional camouflage and vibrant pink or reddish tones. Measuring less than 2.7 cm (~1 in) in length, it inhabits gorgonian sea fans in tropical waters of the western Pacific, particularly around Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its coloration and knobby skin perfectly mimic the polyps of its coral host, offering near-complete concealment. Feeding primarily on small crustaceans and plankton, this seahorse uses its prehensile tail to anchor itself amid coral branches, remaining motionless for hours to avoid detection.

Discovered in 1969 by French marine scientist Georges Bargibant, this tiny seahorse species was first spotted quite by chance on a gorgonian sea fan collected for the Nouméa Aquarium in New Caledonia. The tiny seahorses were visible only after the coral arrived at the lab and were formally described the following year by Gilbert Whitley. Since then, researchers have identified more than half a dozen additional pygmy seahorse species within the genus.

Answer: False

The elephant hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) is a striking nocturnal insect recognized for its vivid pink and olive-green wings. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it thrives in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows where nectar-rich flowers such as honeysuckle and valerian are abundant. Its name derives from the caterpillar stage, which resembles an elephant's trunk, and is not a reference to its size. Where the elephant hawk-moth has a wingspan measuring between 45 mm and 60 mm (approximately 1.8-2.4 in), the world's largest moths can have wingspans of up to 30 cm (12 in).

Adults feed on nectar using a long proboscis, while larvae consume willowherb and bedstraw. The moth's bold coloration serves as both a warning and a form of disruptive camouflage, blending into floral surroundings during rest.

Answer: Galah

The pink and grey cockatoo, or galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), is a highly social parrot native to Australia, easily recognized by its rosy chest and pale grey wings. It inhabits open woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas, often forming large, noisy flocks.

Galahs feed on seeds, nuts, and grasses, foraging on the ground and occasionally in trees. Their vibrant plumage, combined with an expressive crest, makes them one of Australia's most iconic birds. Adaptable and intelligent, they are known for acrobatic flight and playful behaviour, traits that have also made them popular in aviculture.

Answer: Giant barrel sponges

The pink hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani) is a diminutive crustacean noted for its vivid magenta coloration and fine, hair-like setae covering its body. Found in the Indo-Pacific region, it exlusively resides within crevices of large barrel sponges at depths of 10-30 meters (33-98 feet).

Its bright colour contrasts sharply with its sponge habitat, yet offers some concealment among similarly hued organisms. Feeding on detritus and plankton, this species plays a role in the reef's nutrient cycle.

Despite its name, it is not a true lobster but belongs to the squat lobster family, characterized by flattened bodies and extended claws.

Answer: True

Flamingos (six species in the genus Phoenicopterus) are iconic wading birds celebrated for their elegant posture and vivid pink plumage, which ranges from pale blush to deep coral. Interestingly, flamingos hatch with gray or white feathers, gradually acquiring their signature pink coloration as they mature and consume carotenoid-rich foods such as algae, crustaceans, and small aquatic organisms.

Found in saline or alkaline lakes, lagoons, and estuaries across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia, flamingos feed by filtering water through their specialized bills, extracting microscopic prey. Highly social, they form large colonies that enhance protection and facilitate synchronized breeding displays, creating one of nature's most spectacular avian gatherings.