Albino And Leucistic White Animals Are Extremely Rare And Incredibly Beautiful

Since ancient times, light-hued animals—specifically those that suffer from albinism—have held a special place in human society. They’ve been featured prominently and are even considered sacred in many cultures’ unique mythologies. Because they’re so rare, and because white is a symbol of purity and cleanliness, it’s no surprise that they were largely regarded as “holy.”

In reality, rare genetic mutations that affect an animal’s melanin production are usually the reason it’s born lacking the normal coloration of its species. These animals can be true albinos, which lack all pigments and have white fur and reddish-pink eyes, or they can be leucistic, which are animals that have white or light-colored fur while still possessing some other pigments.

UPDATE: The response to our original article was so overwhelming, that we have decided to expand it – with even more unusually white animals. Enjoy!

Albinism in Animals

Albinism is a condition that affects pigmentation, causing an animal to have lighter, sun-sensitive skin and fur than average. More specifically, albinism is a disorder that affects the production of the pigment melanin in animals, and can be exhibited in animals of all types (including humans).

These white animals are extremely rare in the wild, since their lack of camouflage colors makes them easy targets for predators.

True albino animals

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, fur, and eyes their color. True albino animals lack melanin in their body, and as a result have white fur (or feathers), as well as reddish-pink eyes (the red color is due to tiny blood vessels showing through the eye). The results can be quite striking to behold.

Albino animals are usually just as healthy as “normal”, pigmented ones – with the one exception of likely suffering from vision problems.

Leucistic Animals

Leucistic animals suffer from only partial loss of pigmentation, and as such still possess some color. They can have almost entirely white or light-colored skin and fur, but usually have only patches or spots of white rather than a completely white appearance.

Leucism does not affect the pigment in the eyes, resulting in normally pigmented eyes rather than the reddish-pink colored eyes commonly associated with albinism.

Albinism in Dogs

In dogs, albinism is most often recognized by their white or very light-colored fur, pinkish skin, and reddish eyes. This is because, without melanin, the blood vessels in the eyes become visible through the tissues. It’s important to note that not all dogs with a white coat are albino, of course, as a white coat in dogs can be the result of a number of other genetic factors.

Health implications: Albino dogs may face various health challenges as a result of their genetic mutation. These can include:

1. Vision problems: The lack of pigmentation in the eyes can cause light sensitivity, reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movement).
2. Sun sensitivity: Albino dogs are at a higher risk of developing sunburns and skin cancer due to the absence of melanin, which provides some protection against harmful UV rays.

Photos of Albino and Leucistic White Animals

Albino and leucistic animals are extremely rare and can be practically impossible to find in the wild, as their color makes them extremely vulnerable to predators. When they are spotted, however, these colorless animals easily prove that you don’t have to have fancy colors to be stunningly beautiful.

Take a look at some of these usually white animals and see for yourself!

Albino Bison (aka “Buffalo”)

Albino or Leucistic White Wallaby

Albino or Leucistic White Skunk

Leucistic White Chimpanzee

Albino White Alligator

Leucistic White Sea Turtle

Albino or Leucistic White humpback Whale

Leucistic White Bat

Albino or Leucistic White Deer

Albino White Doberman Pinscher

Albino White Hedgehog

Leucistic White Kingfisher

Albino White Koala

Leucistic White Lion

Albino or Leucistic White Lobster

Albino White Moose Bull

Leucistic White Gentoo penguin

Albino White Raccoon

Leucistic White Cougar

This rare white cougar was photographed by a trail camera in southeastern Brazil’s Serra dos Órgãos National Park on July 5, 2013. It has not been seen since.

Leucistic White Rhino

Albino White Squirrel

Albino or Leucistic White Gorilla

Albino Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)

Albino Dingo

Leucistic White Tiger

Albino White Turkey Vulture

Albino White Asian Elephant (Pink Elephant)

Albino or Leucistic White Marlin

Albino White Peacock (Male)

Albino or Leucistic White Zebra

Albino or Leucistic White Reindeer (Male)

Albino or Leucistic White Wombar

Albino or Leucistic White Wild Turkey

Leucistic White Chipmunk

Albino or Leucistic White Hummingbird

Albino White Fox

Leucistic White Iguana

Albino or Leucistic White Sea Lion

Albino or Leucistic White Skunk

Albino or Leucistic White Barn Owl

Leucistic White Ostrich

Albino White Cobra

Albino White African Porcupine

Leucistic White Bobcat

Albino or Leucistic White Camel

Albino or Leucistic White Black Widow Spider

Leucistic White Atlantic Puffin

Leucistic White Giraffe

Albino or Leucistic White Hippo (Pink Hippo)

Albino White Frog

Albino or Leucistic White Chameleon

Leucistic White Serval

Albino or Leucistic White Stingray

Albino or Leucistic White Honey Badger

Albino or Leucistic White Killer Whale (White Orca)

Albino Grey Nurse Shark or Sandtiger Shark

Albino or Leucistic White Ladybug

Leucistic White Black Bear

Albino or Leucistic White Mole

Albino White Prairie Dog

Leucistic White Raccoon Dog

Albino or Leucistic White Prawn

Albino White Loris

Albino or Leucistic White River Otter

Albino White Opossum

Albino or Leucistic White Kiwi

Albino or Leucistic White Snail

Albino White Raven

Albino White Fly

Leucistic White Screech Owl

Albino or Leucistic White American Robin

Albino White Wildebeest

Albino or Leucistic White Beaver

Leucistic White Ringtail Lemur

Leucistic White Mandarin Ducks

Albino or Leucistic White Echidna

Leucistic White Cardinal

Albino or Leucistic White Tawny Frogmouth

Leucistic White Lioness

Each one of these white animals is beautiful in its own special way.

It’s hard to believe that some of these are real, but nature is always full of surprises!