Nature's most colorful creatures -

Nature is a phenomenal artist. With a gorgeous palette, it has endowed some of the most stunning colors to the animals. Click to see some of these beautiful creatures.

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Common collared lizard - This regal reptile is found in Mexico and the south-central United States. It's the state reptile of Colorado.

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Lilac-breasted roller -

You can spot this bird throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian peninsula.

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Peacock mantis shrimp - Also known as the harlequin mantis shrimp, this colorful crustacean is native to the Indo-Pacific region, from Guam to East Africa.

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Western crowned pigeon - A remarkable crown of delicate lacy crests distinguishes this beautiful but vulnerable Papua New Guinea native.

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Blue-ringed octopus - One of the world's most venomous marine animals, these colorful animals can be found in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

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Panther chameleon - Endemic to Madagascar, the reptile is also been introduced to Réunion and Mauritius.

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Oriental dwarf kingfisher - This small and dainty bird lives in the densely forested regions of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

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Pink orchid mantis - One of several species of flower mantises, this particular mantis from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia perfectly mimics the orchid flower in structure and coloring.

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Keel-billed toucan - Another colorful and conspicuous resident of Central America and the northern reaches of South America.

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Peacock spider -

A member of the jumping spider family, this arachnid is resident to specific areas of Australia, including Tasmania.

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Red-eyed tree frog - With its fixed grin, quizzical eyes, and wonderfully vibrant coat, this quirky amphibian is a must-see resident of Central and South America.

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Halloween crab -

It's odd that a crab so colorful in appearance is predominantly nocturnal in nature. It patrols the sands of the Pacific coast.

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Loch's chromodoris -

A particularly radiant species of sea slug that calls the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region home.

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Cuckoo wasp -

Distinguished for its shimmering metallic colors, this species is present in the hot, dry desert regions of the world.

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Peacock - A peacock is in fact the male of the peafowl. When fully fanned, its extraordinary eye-spotted "tail" or "train" of feathers is simply breathtaking.

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Mandrill -

Mandrills are the world's largest monkeys and endowed with exceptionally colorful faces.

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Fiery-throated hummingbird - Head for Costa Rica or western Panama to catch a glimpse of this bird with its dazzling rainbow body plumage and brilliant blue crown.

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European bee-eater - This richly colored bird breeds in southern Europe and in parts of North Africa and western Asia during the summer. It winters in tropical Africa.

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Mandarinfish -

Native to the Pacific Ocean, this resplendent species is often cited as the most beautiful fish in the ocean. But beware. It's poisonous!

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Oriental whip snake -

This long slender reptile is also known as the Asian vine snake. Native to southern Asia, the snake's fluorescent green coat is quite splendid.

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Mandarin duck -

A species originating in East Asia but also introduced into parts of Europe, the mandarin male enjoys handsome and flamboyant looks.

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Cephea jellyfish -

Even the simplest of organisms can boast a colorful and attractive skin. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific and East Atlantic. 

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Scarlet macaw - You're likely to hear this dazzling South American parrot long before you see it. It's well known for making loud throaty squawks, squeaks, and screams.

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Candy crab -

These colorful crabs thrive on the soft coral found throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

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Red lionfish -

Clad in white, red, and maroon stripes, this venomous coral reef fish is mesmerizing in its appearance. It shows off in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Tiger - Instantly recognizable, the biggest cat on the planet is a popular and charismatic beast. Sadly, it's an endangered species, with poaching and habitat loss blamed for declining numbers.

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Rosy maple moth -

With its woolly body and pink and yellow coloration, this tiny North American moth resembles a cuddly toy.

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Clownfish -

The clownfish is found in the colder waters of the Indo-Pacific regions and the Red Sea, where shallow seas and sheltered reefs are its preferred hangouts.

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Rainbow lorikeet - This Australian resident ably lives up to its name with a radiant and visually stunning plumage.

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Blue dragon - Also known as blue angel, the blue upper body of this alluring sea slug helps it blend in with the blue of the water.

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Bicolor parrotfish -

Pictured is a bicolor parrotfish in a terminal phase of color, which means it's changed into a male after being born a dark brown female. Yes, this species is a sequential hermaphrodite.

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Glasswing butterfly -

Despite its unique transparent wings, the South American glasswing makes this list because it "appears" to achieve coloration by virtue of its see-through wings. Clever!

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De Brazza's monkey -

Endemic to the wetlands of central Africa, these primates are distinguished by their orange forehead and magnificent beard.

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Violet-backed starling - Its iridescent plum-colored back characterizes the male of this species, which hails from sub-Saharan Africa.

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Tomato frog - Unusual for the animal kingdom, the female species of this Madagascar resident is more brightly colored than her male counterparts.

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Madagascan sunset moth - Endemic to Madagascar, this exquisitely coated moth is renowned the world over for its stunning appearance.

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Grey crowned crane - One of Africa's most striking bird species, the grey crowned crane is remarkable for its crown of stiff golden feathers.

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Rainbow grasshopper -

Native to North America, the best times to admire this vivid insect are morning and evening, in full sun.

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Yellow-collared lovebird - A member of the parrot family, lovebirds are social, affectionate, and number several different species. The yellow-collared lovebird is especially colorful.

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Pink katydid (bush cricket) -

A blushing pink katydid is an extremely rare example of a condition called erythrism—a congenital condition of abnormal redness in an animal's fur, plumage, or skin. They are usually green!

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Coppery-headed emerald -

Anyone visiting Costa Rica should look out for this diminutive hummingbird. The male has a distinctive coppery crown and rump with a whole green belly.

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Dyeing dart frog -

This handsome but deadly frog is found in parts of Brazil and northeastern South America.

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Golden pheasant - Native to western China but distributed widely around the world, this flashy pheasant spends much of its time on the ground.

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Nembrotha cristata -

This is a particularly striking species of sea slug, or nudibranch. The rocks and coral reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean are the place to see them.

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Peacock butterfly - Found in Europe and as far east as Japan, the wingtips of this stunning butterfly bear a distinctive, black, blue, and yellow eyespot.

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Leafy seadragon - Affectionately known as "leafies," these enchanting creatures mimic the color and appearance of seaweed, perfect camouflage in the warm waters along the western and southern coasts of Australia.

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Gouldian finch -

A resident of Australia, the bird is also known as the rainbow finch. Both sexes are brightly colored.

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Cobalt blue tarantula - Its iridescent blue legs only amplify this spider's menacing appearance. Watch out for this guy in Myanmar and Thailand.

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Southern red bishop -

It's the male of the species that radiates the bright orange plumage. The bird can be found in Africa, south of the Equator.

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Blue morpho butterfly -

These large radiant blue butterflies are found in South and Central America, and also in parts of North America. 

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Zanzibar red colobus -

As their name suggests, these monkeys are native to Zanzibar and rank among the most attractive of the species. Currently, its status is endangered.

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Hypselodoris apolegma -

Another vivid sea slug (nudibranch). This one is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

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Green and black poison dart frog - Its exotic color serves as a warning, and its name says it all. This is a highly toxic animal.

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Nicobar pigeon -

Noted for its lustrous metallic blue and green plumage, this bird is found throughout the Malay Archipelago region. Interestingly, it is the closest living relative of the extinct dodo.

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Red-headed rock agama -

The 37 species of Agama are widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but it's the male red-headed rock agama, replete with rust-colored face, that's the best known.

See also: Vibrant blue animals you can’t take your eyes off

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