A White: Lion, Alligator and Gorilla?

Everyone knows a zebra's color or a lion's, but would you believe me if I told you that there is a white lion? What if I told you that there is a white Gorilla? You may be wondering how could this all happen. It's actually quite simple. All these animals fall under one branch. It all goes down to genes. 

1. The White Lion

The white lion owes it's coloring to a recessive gene. The white lion is  a special morph with a genetic condition called leucism. Leucism is a condition characterized by reducing pigmentation in animals. The difference between Leucism and Albinism is that Leucism is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigments, not only melanin. They have been seen around the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati Private Game Reserve in eastern South Africa, but are more commonly found in captivity. These stunning creatures have been bred in camps in South Africa for use as trophies to be killed during canned hunts. The first sightings started to surface in 1928. Reports where made for the next 47 years, until confirmation of the coloration came in 1975 when a litter containing two white cubs was seen in the Timbavati Game Reserve. 

2.  The Albino Alligator

The albino alligator is in great state of extinction. There are only 12 white alligator's remaining in the world. This type of alligator being an albino has an inhibited gene for melanin, the brown pigmen from the skin and eye's iris, which is why it's skin appears white and it's eyes pinkish because of the blood vessels. To see this animal visitors must enter a dark lobby for the sun could damage the alligator's skin.

3.  "Snowflake"Gorilla

unlike the white albino alligator, the so called "white gorilla" was only one in the world. Yes, you read correctly I said was. There has only been one known albino Gorilla who was named "Snowflake". He was found in 1966 by a fang farmer. The farmer in order to obtain this unusual albino specimen, had to kill the rest of his group who were all charcoal black. Snowflake would automatically shut his eyes when in bright light. It was calculated that he blinked 20 times a minute. By now you would be wondering why didn't you clone him or something like that. Well, Here's your answer. During his life-time in captivity, he fathered 22 offspring which only 6 survived to adulthood. Guess what, none of his offspring were albino (meaning white). 

He was thought to be around 39 years of age. The average lifespan of a gorilla in the wild is 25. Snowflake suffered from an unusual type of skin cancer, most probably related to his albinism condition, known as oculocutaneous albinism type 1. In September 2003 it had been publicly announced that he was dying and so thousands visited him to say their goodbye before be passed away in November.

There are many albino animals. Here is a list of other Albino animals:

-albino snail

-albino turtle

-albino peacock

-albino rabbit

-albino snake

and many other!