Have you ever looked into the eyes of an animal and been mesmerised by its beautiful blue colour? Many animals worldwide have eyes ranging from light blue to deep sapphire. The vibrant blue hue creates an exotic and striking appearance.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most breathtaking animals with blue eyes and learn more about what causes this rare trait. From big cats to birds, reptiles to rodents, read on to uncover some of nature’s most dazzling peepers.
White Tiger
The stunning white tiger is one of the most iconic animals with blue eyes. These big cats are extremely rare – they only occur in about 1 in every 10,000 births. A recessive gene causes their white fur and piercing blue eyes.
White tigers still have the iconic black tiger stripes, but they are barely visible against their snowy fur. Their eyes can range from pale blue to a deeper turquoise shade. These markings are considered lucky in some cultures.
White tigers only exist in captivity nowadays. But you can view their majestic blue-eyed appearance at many zoos worldwide. Seeing a white tiger up close is an unforgettable moment. They almost seem supernatural with their unique colouring.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a popular dog breed that often possesses striking, ice-blue eyes. Their eyes can also be brown, one of each or parti-coloured (two different colours). But blue eyes are common in this breed.
Huskies are highly active, free-spirited dogs that originated in Siberia. The Chukchi people bred them to pull sledges over long distances. This is why Huskies have that characteristic thick, double coat to withstand freezing temperatures.
Those bright blue eyes help to reflect sunlight and enhance their vision across snowy landscapes. Some people believe that Huskies with blue eyes have poorer eyesight than brown-eyed dogs. But this myth has been debunked – eye colour does not affect vision in dogs.
Siamese Cat
The Siamese cat is one of the most recognised cat breeds – and their piercing blue eyes are a big part of their reputation. Siamese kittens are born with blue eyes. As they mature, their eye colour transforms into a more azure tone.
Siamese cats originated from Thailand, where they lived as companions in royal palaces. They were prized for their unique colouring and vocal nature. Today, you can adopt Siamese cats around the world.
Their beautiful blue eyes and dark colouring around their face give Siamese cats an expressive, almost human-like appearance. It’s like they can communicate their emotions just through their eyes!
Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a large aquatic bird found widely across North America. They have dark plumage and long necks. During the breeding season, the adults also sport conspicuous double tufts on their heads – hence their name!
These cormorants dive into the water to feed on small fish and crustaceans. Their vibrant turquoise eyes likely help them spot prey while swimming underwater. The eyes appear jewel-like against the black feathers.
Look out for these striking birds next time you’re by a lake or river. They often stand on rocks or tree stumps and spread their wings to dry afterwards. Spotting those piercing peepers in the wilderness is a special treat for any birdwatcher.
Dusky Earless Agama
Moving onto reptiles, the dusky earless agama boasts some particularly spectacular baby blues. These funky lizards come from parts of Namibia and South Africa.
Male agamas use their blue eyes to help attract females during mating rituals. Their eyes turn even bluer when they feel threatened to try and scare off predators. Talk about weaponising your eye colour!
The ‘earless’ part of their name refers to the lack of an external ear opening. So, blue eyes help make up for what they’re missing in the auditory department! Dusky agamas like to shuffle between sun and shade to regulate body temperature.
Yellow-rumped Caciques
Finally, look at a tropical bird species rocking the blue eyes – the yellow-rumped cacique. This chatty, social bird lives in large flocks in Central and South America.
During the breeding season, the male caciques show off their piercing baby blues to potential mates. Their yellow rumps and bellies contrast beautifully with the blue.
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