White Leucistic Alligator
©2010 Susan Ogden-All Rights Reserved
Images Thruthelookingglass
While in Florida last weekend, i made a trip to my favorite place for wildlife photography...........Gatorland! it is spectacular for bird photography as well as gators and swamp life! this year there was an exhibit of while leucistic gators....a very rare mutation. They are not albino, for they have the most spectacular blue eyes, and a few patches of pigment on the head and/or tail. They are more aggressive than the regular American Alligator, and must be kept separately in enclosures for their own safety. Instead of one caretaker per enclosure there are 2 since they are known to lunge aggressively out of the water after the keepers....something the regular gators do not do!
There was a contest held to name this fellow and the winning entry won a "one on one" visit with him and his handlers!! The winning name: TREZO JE which is cajun for "Treasure Eye", since the blue eyes of the leucistic gators are said to bring fortune to those lucky enough to gaze into them. More info @: www.gatorland.com
Leucistic animals have rare genetic condition that reduces the colour pigmentation in their skin.
Out of the five million American alligator population there are thought to be only 12 leucistic gators.
'They are just like alligators and they eat the same food,' explains Tim.
'The biggest concern is that they never would have survived in the wild. They are like little beacons, shining "come eat me".
White Leucistic Alligator
©2010 Susan Ogden-All Rights Reserved
Images Thruthelookingglass
While in Florida last weekend, i made a trip to my favorite place for wildlife photography...........Gatorland! it is spectacular for bird photography as well as gators and swamp life! this year there was an exhibit of while leucistic gators....a very rare mutation. They are not albino, for they have the most spectacular blue eyes, and a few patches of pigment on the head and/or tail. They are more aggressive than the regular American Alligator, and must be kept separately in enclosures for their own safety. Instead of one caretaker per enclosure there are 2 since they are known to lunge aggressively out of the water after the keepers....something the regular gators do not do!
There was a contest held to name this fellow and the winning entry won a "one on one" visit with him and his handlers!! The winning name: TREZO JE which is cajun for "Treasure Eye", since the blue eyes of the leucistic gators are said to bring fortune to those lucky enough to gaze into them. More info @: www.gatorland.com
Leucistic animals have rare genetic condition that reduces the colour pigmentation in their skin.
Out of the five million American alligator population there are thought to be only 12 leucistic gators.
'They are just like alligators and they eat the same food,' explains Tim.
'The biggest concern is that they never would have survived in the wild. They are like little beacons, shining "come eat me".