28 Amazing Blue-colored Animals (With Pictures)

Blue is everywhere in the sky and the sea — and almost nowhere on the animals that live in them. It is one of the rarest colors in the whole animal kingdom, which is exactly what makes a truly blue creature so spectacular. From a one-in-two-million lobster to the deadliest octopus in the ocean, here are 28 of the bluest animals on Earth, each with its own stunning photo.

The color blue is fairly common and can be spotted all around us. But talk about its presence in the animal kingdom, and most people can only think of a few examples. There are actually many blue-colored animals out there. We at AnimalSake have listed a great many of them, along with their pictures.

Blue has always been a striking color. A quick glance at the blue sky is enough to soothe your eyes. The vast blue-gray oceans and seas give our Earth the nickname of the ‘Blue planet’. Blue looks truly splendid when seen in nature.

Even though blue is abundant in nature, it is rare in the animal kingdom. Sometimes the word “blue” can also mean gray when describing a coat color — especially in dogs, cats, or horses. But some animals are truly blue.

Mention blue and animals together, and many people think of the blue whale — the largest mammal on Earth. But there are many, many more blue animals. Some are very common, while others are quite rare. All of them are beautiful! We have listed some of them below, grouped by species and habitat: ocean animals, birds, and others.

Blue Ocean Animals

Blue Starfish

This starfish lives in the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and near Indonesia. It has a dark or light blue color, and some have spots on their body. You can find it near coral reefs or on soft sand. Interesting Fact: Sadly, these beautiful sea stars are very easy to collect. People catch them, dry them, and use or sell them as ornaments.

Blue Tang

This Indo-Pacific surgeonfish has many names — the regal tang, palette surgeonfish, and flagtail surgeonfish are all the same fish. It is popular with aquarium lovers, even though it is not a sturdy fish. In the wild, the blue tang helps coral grow by clearing algae away from it. Interesting Fact: Blue tangs can make themselves semi-transparent when they feel threatened or move into dark areas.

Blue Lobster

This is a very rare blue animal. Scientists estimate that only about 1 in 2 million lobsters is blue. It is a mutant, or rare variation, of the American lobster — which is the heaviest crustacean in the world. Other unusual color variations exist too. Interesting Fact: In August 2014, a blue lobster was caught in Maine. It was donated to the local aquarium, which already had 3 other blue lobsters.

Humphead Wrasse

This huge fish is the largest in its family and is also known as the Napoleonfish. Males can grow up to a maximum of 6 feet long. They live near coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Young fish are red-orange, but adults turn bluish-green. Interesting Fact: These gentle giants live long lives — females can live up to 50 years and males up to 45 years. Unfortunately, they breed slowly.

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Blue-ringed Octopus

These small octopuses live in tide pools and reefs across the Indo-Pacific. They have yellowish skin with bright blue rings. They are normally calm, but will bite if provoked. Their bite is highly poisonous — and there is no antivenom available yet. Interesting Fact: This is one of the deadliest marine animals. Despite its tiny size, its venom is powerful enough to kill 26 humans within minutes.

Blue Spotted Pufferfish

These beautiful pufferfish belong to the genus Canthigaster. All members of this group are known as sharp-nosed puffers or Tobies. They lack pelvic fins, so they have learned to get around using their pectoral fins instead. Interesting Fact: Many aquarium fans keep these as pets. They need a fish-only tank, because they may eat the invertebrates in a reef tank.

Ribbon Eel

This moray eel has a thin body and tall dorsal fins that make it look like a Chinese dragon. It lives in the Indo-Pacific and is easy to spot because of its wide, flared nostrils. Young ribbon eels are black with a yellow fin. Females are yellow with a black anal fin. Adult males have a blue and yellow color. Interesting Fact: The ribbon eel is the only moray eel that starts life with male organs and later develops female organs.

Blue Crab

This crab is native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. You can tell males from females by the shape of their abdomen and the red-colored claw tips on the female. The blue color comes from a pigment that breaks down when the crab is cooked — that is why they turn red or pink in the pot. Interesting Fact: Louisiana harvests almost 22% of the nation’s blue crab. The state has kept a steady harvest since 1990, after Maryland began having problems with its own harvest.

Blue Birds

Hyacinth Macaw

This stunning blue bird is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot in the world. Do not confuse it with Lear’s macaw — that species is smaller. Hyacinth macaws are becoming rare because of the pet trade. The IUCN lists them as “Vulnerable.” Interesting Fact: The toucan is actually a predator of the hyacinth macaw, but the macaw still depends on it. The manduvi tree is needed for the macaw to reproduce, and toucans spread its seeds.

Peafowl

The peacock is the male of the peafowl species. Its tail makes up almost 60% of its total body length. The female, called a peahen, has no tail. The blue, or Indian, peafowl is native to the Indian subcontinent. The peacock’s tail has beautiful eye-spotted designs that females study during courtship. Peacocks are polygamous and will mate with many females. Interesting Fact: Peacocks have thorn-like spurs on their legs. These are only used in fights over territory.

Blue Dacnis

This small blue bird has a huge range, from Panama all the way to northern Argentina. Its other name is the “turquoise honeycreeper,” but it is not actually a honeycreeper. You can tell it apart by its long bill. Blue dacnises eat insects, flowers, and fruits. Interesting Fact: Despite its name, only the adult males are turquoise blue. Adult females and young birds are green, with a blue head.

Purple Honeycreeper

This bird is easy to identify by its long, curved black bill. The male is purple, while females and young birds have a greenish color. All of them have bright yellow legs, though the legs can fade in captivity. The purple honeycreeper flies in small groups and feeds on nectar, berries, and insects. Interesting Fact: These small birds are surprisingly bold. When threatened by their main predator — the Ferruginous pygmy owl — they will mob it together to drive it away.

Eurasian Blue Tit

Young blue tits start out yellowish and turn blue as they grow up. Their yellow-green belly comes from eating lots of yellow-green caterpillars! They live in forests across Europe and can hang upside down to find food. Interesting Fact: Males and females look almost identical. But under ultraviolet light, the male’s crown looks much brighter and more blue than the female’s.

Mountain Bluebird

Males have a deep, rich blue color. Females have a paler blue. You can find these birds all over North America. In winter they travel in flocks, eating insects, berries, worms, and peanuts. They mate for life. Interesting Fact: The mountain bluebird is related to the Eastern Bluebird and the Western Bluebird. It is the official state bird of both Nevada and Idaho.

Common Kingfisher

This small kingfisher has 7 subspecies spread across its range in Eurasia and North Africa. It has a short tail and brilliant feathers. It feeds by diving straight into the water. It has special visual adaptations that help it spot prey underwater. Interesting Fact: This bird regularly coughs up pellets made of fish bones and other undigested bits — it does this several times every day.

Blue Jay

The blue jay lives in North America and is easy to recognize by its blue wings and white chest. Males and females look the same. They eat nuts, corn, and insects. Blue jays are very territorial and can become aggressive when threatened. Interesting Fact: The blue jay is a very noisy bird. It will scream loudly to chase away predators — and this warning call also alerts smaller birds nearby, saving their lives.

Blue Starling

There are two subspecies: the lesser blue-eared starling and the greater blue-eared starling. Both are common in parts of eastern and southern Africa. Males and females share a similar color, though young birds are slightly duller. Interesting Fact: In some situations, the nests of blue-eared starlings may end up with eggs from a great spotted cuckoo or a greater honeyguide — birds that trick others into raising their young.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are blue animals so rare?

True blue pigment almost never occurs in animals. Most blue animals look blue because of structural color: microscopic structures that scatter light so only blue reflects back.

What is the rarest blue animal?

The blue lobster. Only about one in two million lobsters is blue, the result of a rare mutation of the American lobster.

Which blue animal is the most dangerous?

The blue-ringed octopus. Despite its small size, it is one of the deadliest animals in the sea and there is no antivenom yet.

Where does the blue iguana live?

The endangered blue iguana lives only on the Grand Cayman island, where it prefers rocky areas in dry forests.

Why does a blue jay look blue?

A blue jay's color comes from light interference caused by the structure of its feathers, not from pigment. If the feather structure is damaged, the blue disappears.

Other Blue-colored Animals

Ulysses Butterfly

You often see these butterflies around pink-flowered Doughwood trees across Australasia, because that is where they feed and breed. When the butterfly sits still, you only see the brown underside of its wings — the brilliant blue is hidden. The caterpillars are green and feed on leaves. Interesting Fact: Male Ulysses butterflies are attracted to anything blue — mostly because they mistake it for a female butterfly.

Hypselodoris infucata

This is a colorful species of sea slug found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a marine mollusk that sheds its shell after its larval stage. It mostly feeds on sponge. Because it lives in almost all seas, it has a very large range. Interesting Fact: These sea slugs have colorful bodies but no shells. Their vivid colors warn predators that they are distasteful or poisonous.

Dyeing Dart Frog

This frog is found in Brazil and French Guiana. The poison in its skin is used for self-defense and is highly toxic. It is the largest of all the poison dart frogs. Females are bigger than males and have arched backs. Interesting Fact: Local tribes pluck feathers from a small patch on the back of young parrots. Then they rub these frogs on the bare skin. The toxin causes the new feathers to grow yellow or red instead of the usual green.

Blue Poison Dart Frog

Scientists debate whether this frog is a color variation or its own separate species. Either way, it is blue and beautiful! As the name says, it is very poisonous and can paralyze or kill a predator. It has a hunched posture, and every individual has its own unique pattern of black spots. Interesting Fact: The toxicity of these frogs depends on their diet. When kept in captivity with a restricted diet, they gradually lose their toxicity.

Steelblue Ladybird

This small, round ladybird has a beautiful blue-green color. It eats a great deal during its larval stage. Native to Australia, it feeds on aphids, mites, and other tiny insects. Its hard wing covers hide its antennae and legs, and protect it from ants. Interesting Fact: These insects were introduced to New Zealand especially to control pests on citrus trees. They also help protect roses and other garden plants.

Blue Dasher

Only adult male blue dashers have the blue color. Females and young dragonflies have yellow stripes on a darker body. This species is found all over the United States and in parts of Canada, always near water — because that is where the females lay their eggs. Interesting Fact: The blue dasher has just one defense mechanism: its flying speed. It can fly at 18 to 35 mph.

Blue-headed Agama

These lizards can live in many different habitats, from open savannah to dense forests. They live in colonies led by one alpha male who rules over the other males and females. The blue-headed agama is semi-arboreal (partly tree-living) and active during the day. Interesting Fact: Only the males have the blue head, and they tend to show it most clearly while feeding, when it is hot, or during breeding season.

Carpathian Blue Slug

This is a large land slug from the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe. Males and females look similar, but young slugs are pale yellow to brown. Young slugs have been seen to hibernate. Interesting Fact: Males and females mate in the soil, and a female lays between 30 and 80 eggs in one clutch. After laying their eggs, the adults die.

Blue Damselfly

A damselfly looks similar to a dragonfly but is not the same thing. The blue damselfly lives near rivers and ponds all around Europe. Its striking colors are blue and black. You often see males and females mating over the water, and the larvae live and feed in the water too. Interesting Fact: The blue damselfly looks very similar to the Azure Damselfly, but the blue damselfly has a brighter, more vivid blue color.

Blue Iguana

This is one of the largest lizards in the world, and it lives only on the Grand Cayman island. It is highly endangered and prefers rocky areas in dry forests. As a herbivore, it feeds mainly on leaves, fruits, and other plants. Males are blue, while females are olive green. Interesting Fact: This large lizard can detect UV rays, which helps it absorb the right amounts of UVA and UVB light to produce vitamin D.

Bluestripe Garter Snake

These snakes are quite common in Florida and can be found almost anywhere, since they are active during the day. They eat worms, frogs, and fish. The bluestripe garter snake lives on land but is also a strong swimmer. It has small amounts of venom that are harmless to humans. Interesting Fact: The beautiful bluestripe garter snake is a subspecies of the Common Garter, and it is found only in Florida — nowhere else in the world.

Word	Meaning
Structural color	Color made by tiny structures that scatter light, not by pigment. Most “blue” animals are blue this way.
Pigment	A natural coloring substance in skin, scales or feathers. True blue pigment is very rare in animals.
Surgeonfish	A reef fish, like the blue tang, with a sharp scalpel-like spine near its tail.
Venom	A poison an animal injects with a bite or sting. The tiny blue-ringed octopus has some of the deadliest venom in the sea.
Mutation	A natural change in an animal's genes. A blue lobster is a rare mutation of the ordinary American lobster.
Vulnerable	An IUCN conservation rating meaning a species could become endangered if it is not protected, like the hyacinth macaw.
Camouflage	Colors or patterns that help an animal blend in. A Ulysses butterfly's brown wing undersides hide it when its blue wings are closed.
Diurnal	Active during the day. The bluestripe garter snake and blue-headed agama are both diurnal.

28 Amazing Blue-colored Animals With Insanely Beautiful Pictures