ALLURING ANIMAL ALBINOS

Albinos are not nature’s freak but they are the outcome of some genetic accidents. These stunning creatures will make us to feel a flow of surprise and make us to stare at them for a while!

I am sure that you would have stopped and stared to witness anything unnatural but alluring.
One such thing in nature is the Albinos whether that's a human or an animal.
But have you ever wondered  how this happens… and what would be the other side of these animals?

Albinism is a condition characterized by a partial or total lack of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair, and can be found not only in humans and mammals but also displayed in any animal species like fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians, even in invertebrates like crabs and jellyfish.

OTHER SIDE OF ALBINOS

No doubt, we are attracted and pleased when we look at them, but we should also know the other side of albinos. 

The distinctive characteristic of albinism that gives these animals special appeal to humans is actually a drawback in the wild, without visual camouflage they’re more visible to predators and become a potential prey. 

Now we can understand why do people say that it is rare to see a white crow and that’s why it has become common to see such wonders of nature only in the “protective custody” of zoos.

ALBINO CROW

Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia  and astigmatism.  As melanin is the shield which protects us from ultraviolet rays of sun and, the lack of skin pigmentation makes these animlas more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers. Animals like White tigers have been prone to crossed eyes, a condition known as strabismus and weakened immune system.  

These special animals face trouble in finding a mate, and unfortunately Albino animals like mice, rat, guinea pigs are preferred for laboratory research. 

I am sure these pictures of amazing animal albinos would mesmerize you.

ALBINO GORILLA & MAN

ALBINO HEDGEHOG

ALBINO ALLIGATOR

ALBINO PEACOCK

ALBINO SEA TURTLE

ALBINO DOLPHIN

ALBINO KOALA BEAR

ALBINO COBRA

ALBINO BAT

ALBINO FROG

ALBINO OWL

ALBINO CRAB

ALBINO AXOLOTI (NEOTENIC SALAMANDER)

ALBINO SQUIRREL

SCIENCE BEHIND ALBINOS

These glowing beauties should never be mistaken with nature’s normal white colored animals.

Albinism is a group of genetic conditions that causes a lack of pigment due to absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin,which results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles   

It can effect only the eyes (ocular albinism) or both the eyes and skin (oculocutaneous albinism). Most types of albinism are inherited when an individual receives the albinism gene from both parents. The exception is one type of ocular albinism which is passed on from mothers to their sons. 

Generally, people with albinism have blue or slate gray eyes. Some people with greater amounts of pigment have green or hazel eyes. Those with lessor amounts of pigment will have an eye color that has a reddish tint to it. 

A true albino will never have a single trace of melanin their body. All the pure white animals are not albinos. A true albino lack melanin totally and will have no markings on their body and their eyes will be pink or red. This eye color is not common in humans. In case of true albino animals, the blood vessels in the retina are seen through the and their nails, skin and scales will also be pink or white in color.

Partial albinos will have eyes that are blue or normal colors. There are some other conditions in animals, that are related to albinism. While axanthic albinos (axanthism), lack yellow color on their body, anerythristic albinos lack the red color.

White lions are not albino as they have pigmentation which shows particularly in eye, paw pad and lip colour. their condition is leucism, a state where there is near-normal eye colour, but loss of pigment in the skin and fur. 

White tigers are not albinos true albino tigers would have no stripes. Even the "stripeless" white tigers known today actually have very pale stripes due to the presence of a  recessive gene chinchilla (for white)which is mis identified  as an allele of the albino series.

Aren’t they one of the pleasant surprises of life?