A dolphin that appeared pink in video footage has attracted widespread attention after being spotted swimming alongside darker dolphins near Qantab Beach in Muscat, Oman.

The sighting reportedly took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The footage circulated online, prompting questions about the animal’s identity and whether its unusual appearance was natural. However, its species and the cause of its pinkish coloring have not been confirmed.

Pink coloring is not exclusive to freshwater dolphins in the Amazon. Certain marine species can also develop pink or reddish appearances through natural biological processes, although the reasons vary depending on the species.

Dr. Vinod Sharma, director and head of veterinary services at DCC Animal Hospital and Petcare in Gurugram, India, explained that some dolphins experience natural color changes as they mature, while others may have pigmentation abnormalities. He identified the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, also known as the Chinese white dolphin, as an example of a marine species that can appear pink.

According to Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Chinese white dolphins generally become lighter as they mature. Their pinkish appearance is associated with blood vessels near the skin’s surface that expand to release excess heat during activity. However, this explanation does not establish the cause of the coloring seen in the dolphin off Oman.

Omani writer Abbas Al Zadjali offered another possibility in an article published by Al Shabiba newspaper. Based on the animal’s rounded head and dorsal fin, he suggested that the dolphins in the Qantab footage might be Risso’s dolphins. He cautioned that a reliable identification would require specialist confirmation because the recording showed the animals from a distance.

Risso’s dolphins can become pale gray or nearly white as they age. NOAA Fisheries explains that their appearance changes over time, with accumulated pale scars contributing to their lighter coloring. Whether these characteristics explain the appearance of the dolphin filmed off Oman remains uncertain.

Al Zadjali also noted that some versions circulating online included separate footage of pink humpback dolphins filmed in Thailand. Those images should not be confused with the original Qantab sighting, as they do not establish the species of the animal seen in Oman.

For now, the dolphin remains unidentified. While several marine species can develop pale or pinkish coloring, experts have not confirmed which species appeared in the footage or what caused its unusual appearance.