Albino Alligator

Albino Alligator

Albino Alligator in der Sankt Augustine Alligator Farm (Florida).
Dieses Exemplar wird separat von seinen Artgenoßen unter einem Sonnendach gehalten. Dies ist zum einen Notwendig um das hochempfindliche Tier gegen Sonnenstrahlung zu schutzen, zum anderen um zu vermeiden das andere Alligatoren es angreifen wuerde (was sie vermutlich tun wuerden).

Originalaushang aus der Alligator Farm:

These beautiful animals are exactly the same as any other American Alligator, except for the fact that they do not have skin pigment. Albino animals occur in nature, but are usually found by predator at a very young age because they lack camouflage. However, in this protective environment they have the ability to grow in to large adults and are otherwise normal in every way. Oddiy, the parents of these albino alligators are of a typical dark color like the others on exhibit here. Albinism is a genetic anomaly which inhibits the production of melanin (black pigment) in the skin. Of the estimated total population of five million American Alligators, there are less than 30 true known albinos. An albino animal usually has red or pink eyes, because the blood vessels in the eye are no longer hidden by normal pigment of the pupil and retina. Albino animals are very sensitive to sunlight, and require a sheltered enclosure to avoid sunburn.