Current:Home > Scams'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world. -AssetLink
'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world.
View
Date:2025-04-28 01:21:40
More than 35 years after a rare nest of white alligators was discovered in a Louisiana swamp … a star is born!
A leucistic all-white alligator was born this summer at Gatorland, the alligator park in Orlando, Florida, said in a news release Thursday.
Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation of the alligator with white coloration, patches of normal pigmentation and blue eyes, the release said. They differ from albino alligators, which have complete loss of pigmentation and pink eyes.
The all-white female was born in August along with a brother gator with normal coloring. Gatorland's veterinary staff said they both received clean bills of health, though the all-white female will be sensitive to the sun.
Leucistic alligator baby makes 8 known in the world
In a Gatorland YouTube video, CEO and president Mark McHugh, said there are only seven other known leucistic alligators in the world, and three of them are at Gatorland.
The new girl was born to a normal-colored mom that carried the recessive gene and a leucistic dad. The release said it is the first leucistic alligator born in human care.
"This is beyond 'rare,' it is absolutely extraordinary!” McHugh said in the news release. "These are incredibly special animals in the reptile world, and we are being very careful with their safety and security. We plan to have them on display early next year so guests can see them, learn about them, and fall in love with them like we have."
Help name the rare gator and her brother
Gatorland is asking for the public's help in naming the special gator and her brother. The comments on the Facebook post show some creative ideas:
- Pearl and Emerald
- Barbie and Ken
- Elsa and Olaf
- Grits and Gumbo
Leucistic snake:'He is stunning.' MS wildlife rehabber nurses battered, rare white snake back to health
The public also helped pick the name "Jawlene," in honor of Dolly Parton, for an alligator found with is top jaw missing.
veryGood! (7732)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- We can't get excited about 'Kraven the Hunter.' Don't blame superhero fatigue.
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
- New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora to all customers
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Pakistan ex
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- A Malibu wildfire prompts evacuation orders and warnings for 20,000, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher
- Aaron Taylor
- Neanderthals likely began 'mixing' with modern humans later than previously thought
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
'Squirrel stuck in a tree' tops funniest wildlife photos of the year: See the pictures
Elon Musk just gave Nvidia investors one billion reasons to cheer for reported partnership
Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Blast rocks residential building in southern China
Friend for life: Mourning dog in Thailand dies at owner's funeral
Deadly chocolate factory caused by faulty gas fitting, safety board finds