Albino Croc

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 predators at a very young age because they lack camouflage. In this protective environment, however, they have the ability to grow to large adults, and are otherwise normal in every way. Oddly, the parents of these albino alligators are of a typical dark color like the others on exhibit here. Albinism is a genetic anomaly that inhibits the production of melanin, or black pigment in the skin. Of the estimated total population of five million American Alligators, there are less then 30 known true albinos. An albino animal usually has red or pink eyes, because the blood vessels in the eyes 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.