Current:Home > Finance'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world. -TradeBridge
'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world.
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 02:04:12
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! (14943)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Nursing student found after vanishing following 911 call about child on side of Alabama freeway
- The economic war against Russia, a year later
- Country star Jason Aldean cites dehydration and heat exhaustion after rep says heat stroke cut concert short
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Hollywood's Black List (Classic)
- Trains, Walking, Biking: Why Germany Needs to Look Beyond Cars
- Nursing student found after vanishing following 911 call about child on side of Alabama freeway
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Charges related to Trump's alleged attempt to overturn 2020 election in Georgia could come soon. Here are the details.
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- 13 Refineries Emit Dangerous Benzene Emissions That Exceed the EPA’s ‘Action Level,’ a Study Finds
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, July 16, 2023
- How to score better savings account interest rates
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- 13 Refineries Emit Dangerous Benzene Emissions That Exceed the EPA’s ‘Action Level,’ a Study Finds
- Hybrid cars are still incredibly popular, but are they good for the environment?
- The Handmaid’s Tale Star Yvonne Strahovski Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 3 With Husband Tim Lode
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Kesha and Dr. Luke Reach Settlement in Defamation Lawsuit After 9 Years
Warming Trends: The BBC Introduces ‘Life at 50 Degrees,’ Helping African Farmers Resist Drought and Driftwood Provides Clues to Climate’s Past
A Deadly Summer in the Pacific Northwest Augurs More Heat Waves, and More Deaths to Come
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Mark Zuckerberg Accepts Elon Musk’s Challenge to a Cage Fight
Is price gouging a problem?
Consumer advocates want the DOJ to move against JetBlue-Spirit merger