Some animals are born with a rare condition called albinism, which means they lack pigment or melanin in their skin. This condition is extremely uncommon and hardly ever occurs naturally.
Albino animals often face greater challenges in the wild, as their lack of camouflage makes them more vulnerable to predators.
As a result, many don’t survive long enough to pass on their genes. However, the albino animals you’re about to discover have beaten the odds. Keep reading to see some of the most unique, pale creatures on the planet.
Meet Zoe, the Golden Zebra.
While zebras are typically black and white, Zoe is a stunning exception. Born in 1998 on the island of Molokai in Hawaii, she has gold and white stripes,
making her one of the rarest zebras in existence. Zoe was later relocated, along with her mother, to the Three Ring Ranch, an animal sanctuary on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Though she is often referred to as a “Golden Zebra,” Zoe does not have albinism. Instead, she has a different pigmentation abnormality known as amelanism.
You Can Own an Albino Iguana for $2,500.
Most iguanas are a mix of brown and green, which helps them blend into their environment to avoid predators. However, albino iguanas, which are pale yellow rather than pure white, do exist.
Over time, these iguanas may even develop colourful markings, giving them an otherworldly appearance.
If you’d like to own one of these unique reptiles, you’re in luck! Albino iguanas are available through specialised breeders, but be prepared to spend around $2,500 for the privilege.
Two Albino Wombats Discovered Near Ceduna, Australia.
In 2012, Australian wildlife rescuers made an unexpected discovery when they came across not just one, but two albino wombats in the southern outback. The pair, named Icy and Pola, were found in a fatigued and malnourished state near Ceduna.
Today, thanks to the care they received, the wombats are thriving at the Ceduna Fauna Rescue Centre.
According to Val Salmon, the sanctuary’s manager, they’ve only ever encountered one other albino wombat in the past 30 years, making this an extraordinary find.
Rare Sightings of White Turkeys.
Spotting a white turkey is a rare event. This particular bird, observed alongside its brown-feathered companion in a snowy landscape, isn’t actually albino but does stand out.
Turkeys can carry a recessive gene that leads to white feathers, though they still possess some skin pigmentation. Researchers estimate that approximately one in every 100,000 turkeys is born white, making this a truly unique sight.
Adorable Albino Chipmunk Spotted.
Think chipmunks couldn’t get any cuter? Think again. While brown chipmunks are common, spotting an albino one like this little guy is a rarity. According to the Missouri Conservationist magazine,
“Only small percentage of animal carry the recessive gene, so the chances of the pairing of recessive genes in an individual animal is slight.” So, next time you’re walking in the park, keep your eyes peeled—you might just catch a glimpse of one!
Migaloo the Albino Humpback Whale May Have Offspring.
Meet Migaloo, an albino humpback whale who made waves (pun intended) when he was first spotted in Australian waters in 1991. Albino humpback whales are extremely rare, and researchers believe Migaloo may have fathered two albino calves.
These whales, nicknamed MJ and Migaloo Jr., have occasionally been seen along Australia’s eastern coast. While spotting any whale is an unforgettable experience, seeing a rare albino whale is even more extraordinary.
Rare Albino Hummingbirds: White Feathers and Pink Eyes.
Though rare, albino hummingbirds do exist! Some are true albinos, while others are “leucistic,” meaning they lack pigmentation but are not fully albino.
True albino hummingbirds are entirely covered in white feathers and have pink eyes, bills, and feet. Since albinism in hummingbirds is caused by a unique genetic mutation, catching sight of one of these beautiful birds in the wild is a rare and lucky experience.
Piebald Moose: An Incredible Sight.
In Sweden, a white moose has become a local celebrity after a politician captured footage of the magnificent creature.
With its snow-white fur and unpigmented antlers, the moose stands out. However, this moose is not albino.
Its coloration is caused by a recessive gene that gives it white fur, making it an impressive sight, even if it’s not technically an albino animal.
Spotless Giraffes in Kenya.
In September 2017, two pure white giraffes were spotted in Kenya—a mother and her calf. Their appearance quickly caught people’s attention.
These giraffes have a condition known as leucism, which causes a loss of colour in the skin, though their eyes remain unaffected. Their striking look continues to fascinate those lucky enough to see them in the wild.
Snowflake: The World’s Only Albino Gorilla.
Meet Snowflake, a unique albino Western lowland gorilla who lived from 1964 to 2003. Sadly, he was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer linked to his albinism.
Researchers believe his albinism was caused by inbreeding, as his parents shared about 12% of their DNA. Snowflake’s striking, mystical appearance came with challenges.
He suffered from poor vision, and as his cancer progressed, he began to withdraw from activities and spent his final days in isolation before being humanely euthanized to end his suffering.
Albino Deer.
This delicate fawn seems like the very picture of tranquillity. It’s almost hard to believe that such a peaceful, serene creature is real. Its calm demeanour and appearance are reminiscent of the beloved Disney character, Bambi, making that name feel perfectly fitting for this little one.
Albino Puffin.
Here’s something interesting: albino puffins, despite lacking pigment in their feathers, still have vibrant coloured beaks. It turns out that whatever gives their beaks colour isn’t tied to melanin. Another fun fact about puffins is their small size. Spotting one from afar is quite the challenge!
Albino Porcupine.
This white porcupine has an unusual appearance, with spiky quills that almost resemble hair. In fact, it might remind some people of a certain iconic hairstyle, but comparing it to Donald Trump’s hair might be unfair to the porcupine! It has a rabbit-like quality, minus the long ears, with plenty of spines instead.
Albino Camel.
One of the few downsides of being an albino camel is that dirt is much more noticeable compared to their brown counterparts. While dust and sand blend into the fur of regular camels, it stands out on white ones. But even with a bit of dirt, this white camel still manages to look majestic!
Monkey.
This monkey has a striking resemblance to a wise old man. Despite suspecting it might be a female, the appearance still gives off that wise, aged vibe. The soft, white fur adds to her unique charm. She embraces her individuality and clearly knows that being different is cool. Also, she’s likely a fan of bananas—the ultimate fruit!
Skunk.
Without its signature black stripes, a skunk almost looks like a plump weasel. It makes you wonder—does an albino skunk smell any better than a regular one? Probably not. Their infamous stink likely isn’t tied to the stripes. But wouldn’t it be interesting if it was?
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
I don’t share the fear many people have toward snakes. In fact, I think they’re pretty fascinating, especially this rattlesnake. The distinctive flaps on either side of its head give it an intriguing look. Albino snakes are also highly valuable, which adds to their mystique.
Sea Lion.
This albino sea lion pup is impossibly adorable—like a little aquatic teddy bear. He also looks a bit sleepy, probably from all that swimming. Being this cute must be exhausting! The best part? His friends don’t seem to treat him any differently, which is heartwarming to see.
Albino Fox.
This is a genuine albino fox. While some animals on this list are white due to a genetic mutation rather than true albinism, an animal with albinism will always have red eyes and lack melanin completely. Whether it’s due to albinism or a genetic mutation, white animals are undeniably fascinating.
Albino Cardinal.
Cardinals are famous for their vibrant red feathers, but this albino cardinal is something extraordinary. It looks like a holiday wonder with all the green, red, and white in the scene. This bird appears as if it’s part cardinal, part snowball.
While albinism gives mammals red eyes by affecting the rod cells, birds have mostly cone cells in their eyes, so albino birds don’t develop the red eyes seen in albino mammals.
Albino Lemur.
This lemur mother, with her standard colouring, gave birth to a stunning albino baby lemur. She must be proud to show off her unique little one. Interestingly, albinism in mammals is often associated with hearing loss. Hopefully, this baby lemur retains its hearing with those large ears!
Albino Echidna.
Echidnas are among the most fascinating animals on Earth. As monotremes, they are one of only two types of mammals that lay eggs—the other being the platypus. This rare albino echidna is a remarkable sight, though it might come across as slightly eerie due to its pale colouring.
Albino Crow.
Crows are commonly known for their black feathers, but not all crows are black. Albino crows do exist, and they stand out starkly with their lack of melanin. This particular white crow seems quite upset—what could that black crow have done to cause such frustration?
Albino Robin.
This white robin may lack the signature red breast, but it’s still easily recognizable. Typically, both male and female robins sport red breasts, with males displaying brighter hues and females having subtler tones. This albino robin, however, is entirely devoid of any colour.
Black Bear.
This black bear may not look very black, but it’s still a black bear. Despite its pale appearance, it’s not an albino since it lacks the characteristic red eyes. Instead, this bear has a rare genetic mutation that gives it a unique, light-coloured coat. It may resemble a polar bear at first glance, but rest assured, it’s still a black bear, just not in the traditional sense.
Lobster.
Ever wonder if an albino lobster tastes different from the typical red lobster? Its meat is probably all white, which might make eating it feel a bit unusual. However, this rare lobster is likely too valuable to be served on a plate.
Beaver.
I never knew how much I needed to see a white beaver until now. Though it likely won’t stay white for long, especially if it rolls around in the mud. Interestingly, being an albino might actually help this beaver camouflage better by simply getting dirty.
Raccoon.
Some may view raccoons as pests, constantly rummaging through our trash, but it’s important to remember that they were here before us. We’ve filled their environment with garbage, and they’re just trying to survive. Raccoons have adapted well to urban life, and that resilience deserves a little respect.
Stingray.
I know I compared the hummingbird to a ghost, but this stingray takes it to another level—it’s the real ghostly figure here. Maybe Halloween’s still on my mind!
Stingrays are like the ocean’s version of magic carpets, gracefully gliding through the water. And this albino stingray? It’s in a league of its own, effortlessly cool. Cool enough to stand out in a school of fish—get it?.
