{"id":271331,"date":"2025-11-19T08:51:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/271331\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T08:51:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:51:13","slug":"rumours-of-mutant-animal-proven-real-by-release-of-incredible-new-video-exceptionally-rare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/271331\/","title":{"rendered":"Rumours of ‘mutant’ animal proven real by release of incredible new video: ‘Exceptionally rare’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rumours of rare pink grasshoppers navigating the rocky shores of a cold lake had long been whispered about. But now an incredible video taken last week has confirmed one of these creatures is actually roaming New Zealand<\/a>‘s South Island.<\/p>\n

Robust grasshopper numbers are already low, and the species is listed as nationally endangered. Ordinarily, they are grey to help them camouflage with the soil and stones that form their habitat.<\/p>\n

Experts from the country\u2019s Department of Conservation<\/a> (DOC) explained that in the wild, the species faces threats from introduced species, including hedgehogs, cats and birds.<\/p>\n

Its range is limited to the Mackenzie Basin, and part of its habitat is protected with an exclusion fence<\/a> to reduce the risk of attack. Unfortunately, the pink grasshopper was outside the fence, meaning it faces a difficult future.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

This incredible image confirms the presence of a pink grasshopper on New Zealand’s South Island. Source: DOC<\/p>\n

Related: New Aussie predatory insect species discovered inside package<\/a><\/p>\n

Pink grasshopper believed to be mutant<\/p>\n

Ranger Jen Schori encountered the animal during a survey of Lake Takap\u014d as the harsh sun beamed down from above.<\/p>\n

Robust grasshoppers become more active when it’s cloudy, so people searching for them cast shadows using their bodies to encourage them to move.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been studying these amazing creatures for years. They are usually grey or brown coloured like river stones. I\u2019d heard rumours about a pink one but never seen one myself. It was so exciting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Video shows the moment she saw the creature for the first time. “Look at the colour. Oh my gosh, oh wow that is so cool,” she exclaims as she films it with her phone.<\/p>\n

Every couple of years, there are reports of the of pink grasshoppers but few people have seen them. Schori believes a mutation is the likely cause of their unusual appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cPink grasshoppers are exceptionally rare. It\u2019s likely caused by a genetic mutation called erythrism which results in an overproduction of red pigment and less of the usual natural pigment that the species has,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Although striking colour changes are rare, there are frequent sightings of animals that are coloured white from albinism, or even more commonly, leucism<\/a>, which can be caused by either genetics or the environment. In 2024, a rare blue coloured magnificent tree frog<\/a> was discovered in Australia\u2019s outback.<\/p>\n

If the pink grasshopper can breed, then Schori thinks it’s possible that more pink grasshoppers will be spotted during future surveys.<\/p>\n

But animals with unusual colouring face increased threats in the wild because predators can easily spot them.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

Robust grasshoppers are ordinarily grey, but this individual was bright pink. Source: DOC<\/p>\n

Love Australia’s weird and wonderful environment? \ud83d\udc0a\ud83e\udd98\ud83d\ude33 Get our new newsletter<\/a> showcasing the week\u2019s best stories.<\/p>\n

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