Albino Animals

It struck me the other day, that certain animal groups might be indistinguishable from their normal counterparts even if they were born with an albino gene.

For instance, white rhinos, and doves and some geese – these are already white animals. What would albino variants look like? So white they would be invis

Most albino animals are not successful variants, for they stick out in terms of the camouflage and are killed and eaten quite easily. Either that or if they are a predator, they would struggle to catch any food. Unless they are born in the North or South Poles, where being an albino would be an advantage. Which makes me question why penguins have such brightly coloured beaks. Squirrels it seems are the only successful albino animals, for they inherent a gene that enables them to see better.

Apparently albinos are worshipped in some cultures, but I have never seen a flag with a white tortoise on it or promulgated in a company such as GreenPeace.

In Human Genetics it is possible to produce so-called ‘Devil-Spawn’ albinos, with red eyes and pure white skin. But if you knew beforehand that you would give birth to the son of the devil, would you get an abortion or not? Surely there is a case there to be said that this situation is worse for the child indeed than Down’s syndrome or Cystic Fibrosis.

In the wild of course there is no intervention nor choice that can be made.

Perhaps in Japanese culture it might be a different matter – since Geisha’s notoriously have very white make-up and are considered attractive and would end up being quite good tea-ladies.

Whatever the case, they would not do well in the sun. Pack factor 54.