What do you know about Magnificent White Alligator!

One of the rarest Alligators is White Alligators. They belong to the family Alligatoridae and are restricted to the areas of Southeastern United States. Their scientific name is Alligator Mississippiensis.

These White Alligators were first discovered by Louisiana Land and Exploration Company in 1987 and brought under the care and protection of Louisiana zoo. They were 18 hatchlings and all were male.

Like all other Alligators, they also live in freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes and small water bodies of southeastern United States.

The only difference between this alligator and others is the color of skin, which looks like a White Chocolate.

Why these Alligators are White

White Alligators have a gene mutation that prevents the animal from producing melanin that are white in color and have blue eyes.

Features of White Alligators

Male White Alligators measure 15 feet and females are below 10 feet. They are the only Alligators among the species that possess white skin. They have webbed feet which makes them very good swimmers. Their snout is broad, while an edge of an upper jaw overlaps the teeth of the lower jaw. Their tail is the most important part of its body and helps to overpower even other alligators and predators. Tail also helps it to take fast swimming moments.

Types of White Alligators

There are two types of white Alligators, Albino alligators and Leucistic White alligators. They are quite similar and confusing, but there is slight difference between the two. Albinos have red eyes where as Leucistics have blue eyes. Albinos are weak creatures, whereas Leucistics are strong. Leucistic alligators have white pigment where Albinos may display white to yellow skin and colorless irises. Albinos are only 65-70 in the world.There have been discoveries of leucistic alligators, one in 1987 in Louisiana and other in 1994, whereby only one female was discovered. She now resides at the Reptile Encounter Exhibit. Others include rare white alligator, white American alligator, white house pet alligator,

What Do White Alligators Eat

White alligators eat any aquatic or terrestrial prey that comes within their range, like fish, turtle, mammals, snakes, birds, carrion and even other alligators. They cannot distinguish between pet animals and wild animals so it will just grab the animal whatever comes in its way.

Young Alligators may eat small invertebrates particularly insects and small fish.

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