Albino Animals

Albinism is a form of hypopigmentary congenital disorder, characterized by a partial lack (in hypomelanism, also known as hypomelanosis) or total absence (amelanism or amelanosis) of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair, or more rarely in the eyes alone. Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles. The condition is known to affect mammals (including humans), fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. While the most common term for an organism affected by albinism is “albino” (noun and adjective), the word is sometimes used in derogatory ways towards people; more neutral terms are “albinistic” (adjective) and “person with albinism” (noun). Additional clinical adjectives sometimes used to refer to animals are “albinoid” and “albinic”.
It is not the same as leucism, in which all integumental pigment is at least partially absent, but the eyes retain their usual color.
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2 Responses to “Albino Animals”

1. Zeepo from leenks.com says:

   December 7, 2009 at 12:20

   what happened with the turtle? :O
2. ilaari says:

   February 6, 2010 at 22:14

   The albino hedgehog looks badass!