Stunning Photographs Of The Great Barrier Reef's Pink Manta Ray

The world’s only pink manta ray has been pictured swimming off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Dou you think Is this the cutest creature in the ocean?

'That was until later that day, I saw on the board at Lady Elliot Island a photo of the pink manta. 'It felt amazing because I'd just witnessed it so close. Inspector Clouseau has been spotted less than 10 times since it was first seen in 2015.' This time around, he was glimpsed with seven other males who were all vying for female attention. It's believed his distinctive colour is caused by some sort of genetic mutation which affects the colour of its melanin, a skin pigment. The process which causes this may be similar to albinism in humans. Reef manta rays tend to come in three different colours: black, white and a combination of the two. The last mixed configuration is the most common, with rays having dark backs to blend in the gloomy water underneath and a lighter underside to blend with the sunlight. You might think that being bright pink might put Inspector Clouseau at risk of being eaten by predators, but he's still very large. Adult rays can weight more than a tonne and are not to be messed with. Rays are generally black, white or a combination of these two colours (Provider: @kristianlainephotography)