7 Animals Whose Blood Isn’t Red

(All images credit: Freepik)

Anupama Jha
Aug 16, 2024

Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe crabs have blue blood due to hemocyanin, which is rich in copper. Their blood is also vital for medical research because it clots in the presence of bacterial toxins.

Octopus

Octopuses have blue blood due to the presence of hemocyanin, a copper-based molecule that helps them survive in cold and low-oxygen environments.

Brachiopods

These marine animals have purple blood because they also use hemerythrin to transport oxygen.

Peanut Worm

The peanut worm has purple blood thanks to a protein called hemerythrin. This protein is visible through its translucent skin, making its blood appear purple.

Icefish

Icefish are unique in that their blood is colorless. They live in the frigid waters of Antarctica and have no hemoglobin, relying on oxygen dissolved in the plasma.

Leeches

Leeches have green blood, a result of the pigment chlorocruorin. This pigment functions similarly to hemoglobin but gives their blood a green tint.

Spiny Lobster

Similar to octopuses, spiny lobsters also have blue blood. Hemocyanin enables them to efficiently carry oxygen in deep-sea environments.

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