White crocodile is a kind of common reptiles. This is a very rare animal that can be either albino or leucistic. There are also individuals with partial or complete white cover of the skin. Features of the eyes in albinos are noted. They can be pink or even blue, which is quite rare.
White individuals are the exception rather than the norm. And the question of whether there are white crocodiles in the wild can be answered unambiguously. In ordinary habitats, such an adult animal cannot be found. Firstly, because from an early age it is given out by a white color, and it becomes easy prey for predators, and secondly, this is indeed a very rare developmental anomaly.
Who can be white
In nature, almost any living creature can be white. Albino people, monkeys, snakes, penguins, lions and tigers, fish and turtles, bats and rhinos are known. People endowed such animals with supernatural powers and showed unprecedented interest in them.
Myths and legends exist in many countriesabout the magical nature of these creatures. In Africa, albino people are still considered sorcerers and are in danger of being killed to use body parts in their wild rituals.
Everyone has heard about the white crow, which has long been used in speech as an allegory. And at one time, Snowflake, a young gorilla who lived for many years in the Barcelona Zoo, was very popular. She was often seen on TV shows and on the pages of glossy publications.
An animal of any species can have an albino offspring. Who are they? Why normal gray-green parents are born among numerous offspring white crocodiles.
Who are albinos
Albinism is not a disease, but a genetic anomaly. Albinos in the genes have disorders due to which there is no melanin pigment, which is responsible for the color of the skin, the iris of the eyes.
There are partial and complete albinism. Scientists have found that the reason for this phenomenon lies in the complete absence or blocking of the tyrosinase enzyme, which is involved in the process of normal melanin synthesis.
The degree of such a violation of the pigmentation of the cover also depends on the nature of the changes in the genes. There have also been cases when everything is normal with the formation of tyrosinase, but the creature still has a white color. Here, scientists believe that the genetic defect lies in the mutation of genes that regulate the production of an enzyme, another important element for melanin.
White crocodiles also have these genetic disorders. In nature, they have a hard time. Let us consider in more detail how they differ from simple ordinary individuals and how they live with such an anomaly of development.
Is it easy to be a black sheep?
Albinism, although not a disease, but just a genetic deviation from the norm, but creates unpleasant moments in life, especially for animals. In those places where white crocodiles live, there is a lot of greenery and muddy water of the river, against which this reptile stands out. It is inconvenient for him to hunt, he will not be able to sneak up on prey quietly and inconspicuously, so in most cases the crocodile will remain hungry.
But he himself has a hard time. Against the backdrop of wildlife, it stands out as a white spot, which, of course, attracts the eyes of all hunters for easy prey, and in nature this reptile has many enemies, not counting the main one - man.
In addition to these shortcomings, the white crocodile exists in nature with a bunch of he alth problems. They have reduced immunity, frequent hearing problems, and they cannot be exposed to sunlight for a long time. He has to spend a lot of time in secluded places, hiding not only from enemies, but also from the merciless sun.
Yes, and not every beautiful crocodile will settle down on such a "prominent" groom. Many individuals never find a mate.
Terrarium Stuttgart
In the German city of Stuttgart, a new terrarium has been built, in which, next to fellow normalcoloring lives and a white relative, attracting additional inquisitive visitors. There are specialists in the study of such anomalies in animals, and the conditions of keeping crocodiles are close to natural.
Locals call the terrarium a crocodile palace. There are no cages or closed enclosures. The place completely conveys the native landscape of the predator. The favorite of the public attracts the attention of all visitors, and many are moved by it, but, by the way, one should not think that the color changes anything in the character of these large and aggressive predators. They are just as dangerous as the rest of the crocodiles.
Bouilla Blanc from Florida
The white crocodile living in the Gatorland Wildlife Park in Florida is also very popular. It has a special pigmentation called leucism. He looks attractive. The color is not completely white like in albinos, but only part of the skin, and the eyes are blue.
Back in 1986, in the swamps of Louisiana, builders found a whole brood of white individuals and 17 cubs were taken to the zoo. Many died, but Bouilla Blanc survived. He is already 22 years old. 3 more males are kept in separate enclosures here.
Once again about whether there are white crocodiles in nature
In wildlife, it is almost impossible to meet adults, as we have already said. It is unlikely that such visible to all kids will be able to live to a more or less mature age. Basically, all known adult albinos are kept in zoos,thanks to which they survived. In total, 12 white crocodiles are known to live in terrariums around the world.
Although albinism is a rare phenomenon, scientists have noticed that the number of white individuals among the inhabitants of the planet is increasing every year. It is not yet clear why this happens, but research is underway on this phenomenon. In the meantime, you can go to zoos where these amazing creatures live and admire the "white crows" from the animal world.
