Whether spotted in the wilderness, in our towns, or on exhibit at zoos and wildlife parks, rare albino and white animals continue to awe the public. This article concludes the topic of albinism versus leucism (the condition that creates “white” animals), discussed in “Rare Albino and White Animals,” by introducing some notable albino and white animals around the world.
The White Squirrels of North America
Some of the most famous white and albino animals in North America are the white squirrel colonies of Olney, IL; Kenton, TN; Marionville, MO; Brevard, NC; and Exeter, Ontario. Tourists come from all over to see the unusual squirrels. Some of these towns have taken measures to protect the squirrels and ensure that they flourish. Kenton and Marionville claim that their squirrels have been around the longest, from the Civil War era and earlier. Apparently, white squirrels were in Marionville when the town was incorporated in 1854. Their squirrels are albino, as well as those in Olney. Brevard and Exeter squirrels have dark eyes and aren't albino.
World’s Beloved White Humpback Whale
In 1991 a white humpback whale was first sighted off the east coast of Australia, and was named "Migaloo," an Aboriginal term that means "white fella." He has been sighted repeatedly by scientists and fishermen over the years during seasonal migrations to breeding grounds near Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Whale watchers look to the seas during migration season, hoping to glimpse this unique mammal. Migaloo has been referred to as a "hypo-pigmented humpback" because he has yet to be proven albino. There has been discussion among researchers about whether or not Migaloo has albinism, and if this is true, Migaloo would be the world’s only known albino humpback whale.
Alison Feeney-Hart reported in a BBC News article “New White Whale Spotted,” dated July 22, 2008, that a young white humpback whale was seen off the Australian coast, and scientists are eager to know if it is related to Migaloo. It was spotted with a normally-colored adult, probably its mother. The young humpback has black markings near its head and tail, though, so scientists will have to monitor the calf during growth to learn more about a possible link to Migaloo.
Rare White Koala in Australia
In September 2007 a white koala was found in Australia, sickened and blind from chlamydia, and taken to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in New South Wales. He was the second white koala ever seen out of the thousands treated at the hospital since the early 1970s. Staff had treated albino koalas, but to get a white one was a rare occurrence. The animal, named Mick, had a black nose and yellow eyes. After a few weeks of treatment, he recovered and was released back into the wild at a secret location, for safety reasons, according to the September 23, 2007, Sydney Daily Telegraph article “White Koala Returned to Bush” by Miawling Lam.
The White Elephants of Siam
The highly-valued white elephants of Siam (now called Thailand), revered by kings, are not true albinos, nor are they so white that they can be immediately distinguished from a regular elephant. In artwork and sculpture, these elephants are portrayed white as snow, but in reality they are dusty-colored, possibly with lighter patches of hair, and have pale yellowish or salmon-colored skin tones.
There are a variety of other characteristics that make white elephants valuable to royalty. These include reddish, jet black, or bluish-tinged irises; pink tongue, lips, and tip of the trunk; and pink, red or white toenails. There are other factors related to the way the trunk, ears and tail hang, as well as distribution of hair on certain parts of the body, that help grade these animals into degrees of “whiteness”--or value. What occurs physiologically to create this variety in pigmentation and the other unique traits among white elephants, compared with their normal counterparts, is likely complex.
Knowing the distinction between the terms "albino" and "white" makes it easier for wildlife-watchers to properly classify an animal they spot that has reduced pigmentation, and foster an appreciation for the privilege of visiting with one of these rare creatures in the wild or in captivity.
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