by Melissa Plante
Both animals and humans can be affected by albinism. What is this rare disease? How does this genetic mutation affect animals? Learn more about this condition and discover the most beautiful albino animals on the planet.
What is albinism?
Albinism is a hereditary genetic disorder that affects a small proportion of the animal population. An animal with this genetic mutation does not produce melanin, the substance responsible for coat, skin, and eye colouring. Albinism generally manifests as white animals with pinkish eyes.
Which animals can have albinism?
All species of the animal kingdom, both mammals and non-mammals, can be affected by albinism. This is a rather rare phenomenon. Specialists have observed that only one out of every 10,000 mammal births produces an albino animal. Experts affirm that albinos can be found among at least 300 North American animal species.
Birds are most affected by albinism
Birds have the highest proportion of individuals with albinism. Indeed, 1 out of nearly 2,000 birds is born with this genetic mutation.
How does this phenomenon manifest itself in mammals??
Why are some mammals albino? Albino mammals have inherited one or more genes from their parents that play a role in the production of melanin, a pigment responsible for determining skin, eye, and fur colour.
Albinism also occurs in other animal species
All species can carry, transmit, and express the gene for albinism. That said, animals can produce pigments other than those present in melanin, so they may not be completely white.
Albinism is more than just a white coat
Just because an animal has a white coat does not necessarily mean it has albinism. Some, such as the white lion, are simply paler due to other genetic mutations.
Leucism is often mistaken for albinism
A characteristic feature of animal albinism is reddish or pinkish irises. If this is not the case, the white animal in question has leucism, not albinism. Furthermore, an animal with this condition can produce certain pigments.
Isabellism affects penguins
Researchers and photographers recently noticed penguins with blond feathers on the Antarctic ice pack. These are not albinos, but rather penguins with isabellism, a genetic mutation specific to this species that dilutes the pigments in their feathers.
Albinism hinders survival in the wild
Albino animals must work hard to survive in their natural habitats. Poor vision, a consequence of their genetic condition, makes it more difficult to find food.
Watch out for predators!
The colour of albino animals’ coats contrasts significantly with their environments, so they often have difficulty camouflaging and protecting themselves from predators, making survival more complicated.
Decreased mating
Animals affected by albinism have difficulty finding a mate and are often isolated because of their appearance.
Albino births are special
Albino animals are already rare in nature and sometimes have difficulty mating, so the birth of a baby with this genetic condition is even more exceptional.
In some cultures, the birth of an albino animal is a sacred event and a harbinger of good news.
Choice prey for hunters and poachers
Because albino animals are very rare and often considered exotic, they are a prey of choice for hunters and poachers.
Saving albino deer is a major issue in North America
Despite being rare — experts estimate that only one in 20,000 to 100,000 deer are born with this condition — albino deer have been the subject of increased protection measures, including a ban on hunting, in most U.S. states.
The curious case of urban albino squirrels
Unlike other albino animals who struggle daily for survival, squirrels with the same condition have a somewhat easier life in urban environments. In fact, their populations are often high. That’s because low numbers of predators in these environments increase the squirrels’ chances of survival. Plus, albino squirrels have lots of offspring, which helps to increase their population.
In fact, students at the University of Texas at Austin founded the Albino Squirrel Preservation Society in 2001 to document the growing population of albino squirrels on campus. Students from other North American universities have started their own chapters.
Albino dogs are a bit different
While albinism usually causes pinkish irises in animals, albino dogs have blue, grey, or very pale green irises.
Even animals can get skin cancer
Like albino humans, animals with albinism must avoid sun exposure, because they are at greater risk of developing and dying from melanoma.
Light-sensitive animals
Light sensitivity is another common health problem in albino animals, especially dogs.
Melanism is the opposite of albinism
Unlike albinism, melanism is a condition that produces an excessive amount of melanin. Animals who inherit this pigmentary variation have partially or completely black coats.
Did you know that the black panther is not a separate animal, but a leopard or jaguar expressing the melanism gene?
Vulnerable animals that must be protected
The planet’s small population of albino animals and their fragile health makes vigilance all the more necessary regarding their survival and well-being.
