15 Rare And Unique Albino Animals

Albinism is caused by lack of enzymes in melanin that leads to pigment deficiency. The recessive gene that is mostly inherited, affects all vertebrates. The condition makes it hard especially for wild animals to survive, since it makes them an easy target for predators. The animals also lack protection from hazardous ultraviolet sun rays, have very sensitive eyes and are susceptible to skin cancer. Despite this lack of pigmentation though, the animals are just as adorable as any other animal. Here is a list of 15 of these rare and adorable animals.

1. Alligator

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The pale skin and piercing blue eyes makes this rare alligator stand out. The alligator has a “little bit of pigmentation around the mouth and a little touch on the tail and they have piercing blue eyes." (source)

2. Penguin 

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The rare white Albino penguin was spotted by tourists in Antarctica. The penguin has a mutation that dilutes its feather pigments. According to penguin experts, the penguin appeared to have a condition called Isabellinism where pigment is diluted in penguin feathers. This results in the uniform lightening of the bird’s dark colors and turns the animal pale brown or grayish yellow. (source)

3. Hummingbird 

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The rare albino ruby throated hummingbird was photographed in Staunton, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2011 by the older boys of Kevin and Bethany Shank. They run the Nature Friend Magazine. (source)

4. Eastern Screech Owl 

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Albino owls have pink skin around their eyes which ranges from pink to dark cherry-red. Another indicator of albinism in owls is pink toes. (source)

5. Porcupine

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This is Blondie, the rare albino porcupine at the London Zoo. Albino porcupines have softer hair-like quills unlike the other porcupines that have sharper spines used to defend themselves. (source)

Also see: 10 Most Terrifying Creatures That Once Lived On The Earth

6. Raccoon

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According to some reports, only one in half a million raccoons are born without the pigment that gives them the distinctive black mask, stripe tail and fur markings. (source)

7. Squirrel

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Squirrels have a one in a 100,000 chance of being albinos. They have white hair, white skin and red eyes. They also have vision problems. Albino squirrels have a hard time in their habitat since their white color makes them lose their camouflage advantage and can easily be spotted by predators. (source)

8. Deer

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An albino deer lacks the normal body pigment and has pink eyes. Based on deer hunter reports, only one deer in 30,000 is an albino. (source)

9. Snake

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Leucistic Texas Rat Snake is the beautiful white snake pictured above. It lacks pigmentation and is mostly found in Texas. (source)

Also see: 9 Bizarre Animals Created By Science.

10. Koala

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This albino koala at the San Diego Zoo was named Onya Birri. This means “ghost boy” in the Australian Aboriginal language. (source)

11. Wallabies

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Albino wallabies have red eyes. Photo-sensitivity and susceptibility to skin cancer are some of the issues the wallabies face as a result of their skin pigmentation. (source)

12. Elephant

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This rare elephant was spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. Albino elephants have a pink hue and are rarely completely white, since they have little fur. Their toenails and eyelashes are also fairer than that of other normal elephants. (source) 

13. Gorilla

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Snowflake was famous for being the only known albino in his species. He lived in the Barcelona Zoo, Barcelona, Spain, until he died of skin cancer in 2003. Scientist sequenced his genome after his death and found out that his parents were closely related and this may have led to his lack of color pigments on his skin and hair. (source)

14. Cats

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Not all white cats are albinos. You can spot the difference especially in the eyes. White cats have a range of colors on their eyes but albino cats have a pale blue eye that may appear pinkish blue or pinkish. The skin of the albino cat also lacks pigmentation. (source)

Also see: 10 Most Unbelievable Hybrid Animals

15. Whale

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This is Migaloo, a whale that had created quite a sensation after it was first spotted in 1991, on the coast of New South Wales. Whale watchers and tourists followed him on boats every day, just to catch a glimpse of him. (source)