Animal Bytes: Got Questions?
Do
you have any albino animals at the San Diego Zoo?—Katharine,
age 9
We currently have an albino python in the Reptile House. He’s white with yellow markings and has pink eyes. Some people think albinism is a disease. It’s not—it’s a genetic condition in which an animal (including a human) does not produce dark colors for skin, eyes, hair or fur, scales, or feathers. Being albino doesn’t actually mean the animal has no color—after all, white is a color, and so are pink and yellow. The animal just doesn’t produce the pigment called melanin that makes dark colors. Because of that, they can sunburn easily, and bright light can damage their eyes.
