An extremely rare leucistic alligator born in Gatorland, Orlando, is the result of a genetic condition that leads to the partial loss of skin pigmentation, resulting in white or translucent skin.
  • EatYouWell@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    11 months ago

    I’m pretty sure leucistic animals don’t survive infancy because of predators, not health conditions.

    It’s my understanding that leucisism doesn’t typically cause health issues.

    • EatYouWell@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      11 months ago

      Leucistic animals happen naturally all the time. The reason there are so few is because they get eaten pretty quickly.

      Although the mutation can be intentionally bred for, it likely isn’t what happened here. It’s a gator farm, and if you mass produce any animal you’re going to eventually see interesting color variations pop up.

      • littleblue✨@lemmy.worldEnglish
        13·
        11 months ago

        You claim that inbreeding “isn’t likely” and then immediately follow with a sentence that directly refutes that. FFS. Is this all bots?!

        • EatYouWell@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          How did my sentence directly refute it? Generally people who raise animals for food intentionally introduce genetic variety to avoid genetic issues.

    • Mossy Feathers (She/They)@pawb.socialEnglish
      11·
      11 months ago

      I dunno about you, but I want more pinkish-white gators. Perfect valentine’s day gift for your Floridian girl/boyfriend. Because they’re pink and they’re white, they make great wedding gifts too!