Albino animals mean species with very little or no pigmentation in the skin, eyes and integumentary structures, as well as hair, feathers or scales. Within the large numbers of animal species, it may happen that from time to time, a specimen is born that is completely different from its peers.
Although with the same shapes, but of different color, albino animals border on poetic appearance due to their pristine whitish coloration and the total absence of color. Albinism is one of the strangest conditions to observe but it is well documented, there is a record of various species of animals where specimens with this strange condition have emerged at least once.
Experts have already described what causes albinism and to learn more about it, here is a list of 10 incredible ones that have been recorded at least once.
What is albinism?
It is a condition where there is an absence of color in the skin, hair and eyes. It is caused by the absence of melanin, which is responsible for giving us the characteristic color of each of these elements. Behind albinism there is, of course, a genetic mutation that causes the absence of the pigment known as melanin.
The condition of albinism is obtained hereditarily, it appears through the combination of the two parents who carry the recessive gene. It can occur both in humans and in other animal species that have been well recorded. Although white animals must be carefully differentiated from albino ones. Albinos are characterized by having unpigmented irises, which gives them a reddish appearance to their eyes. Even the eye area is pinkish and not dark like it normally would be.
There are different degrees of albinism; in some specimens the absence of pigmentation is not as evident as it may be in others. For example, in the case of the , they continue to present their darkening pattern, although to a lesser degree than an orca without this condition.
There is also another genetic mutation that can be confused with albinism called leucism. This is also caused by a genetic disorder and also involves pigmentation, however, it does not affect the color of the eyes and there is only a reduction in color in the hair and skin, but not the total absence of melanin. A clear example of this is the leucistic axolotls, which have a rather pink appearance, but their eyes are still dark in color.
Although albinism is a strange condition derived from a genetic mutation, it is still an extraordinary phenomenon to observe. Swipe to discover some species of animals with this amazing condition.