Current:Home > Stocks'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world. -Wealth Legacy Solutions
'Beyond rare' all-white alligator born in Florida. She may be 1 of 8 in the world.
View
Date:2025-04-15 05:24:18
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! (66)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Taiwan factory fire kills at least 5 and injures 100 others
- Report: Teen driver held in Vegas bicyclist hit-and-run killing case expected ‘slap on the wrist’
- Cold case: 5 years after pregnant Chicago woman vanished, her family is still searching
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Indiana man sentenced to 195 years in prison for killing 3 people
- Shimano recalls bicycle cranksets in U.S. and Canada after more than 4,500 reports
- Judge refuses to immediately block grant program for Black women entrepreneurs
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- European court rules Turkish teacher’s rights were violated by conviction based on phone app use
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Job alert! Paris Olympics are looking for cooks, security guards and others to fill 16,000 vacancies
- Jade Cargill signs deal with WWE; former AEW champion reporting to training center
- When do new 'American Horror Story: Delicate' episodes come out? Schedule, cast, how to watch
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Cars are a major predator for wildlife. How is nature adapting to our roads?
- 8 Mile Actor Nashawn Breedlove Dead at 46
- Temple University chancellor to take over leadership amid search for new president
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Ayesha Curry on the Importance of Self Care: You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup
Alabama inmate Kenneth Smith poised to be test subject for new execution method, his lawyers say
Canadian fashion mogul lured women and girls to bedroom suite at his Toronto HQ, prosecution alleges
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Shimano recalls bicycle cranksets in U.S. and Canada after more than 4,500 reports
Third person arrested in connection with toddler's suspected overdose death at New York City day care
College football bowl projections: Playoff field starts to take shape after Week 4