#leucism

[life-on-our-planet]

A leucistic moose filmed by municipal councilmember Hans Nilsson in the Värmland region of Sweden (2017) National Geographic

[fyanimaldiversity]

A beautiful grey American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) [x]

[todaysbird]

this leucistic common raven was spotted around anchorage, alaska. leucism is a genetic condition that results in a similar appearance to albino animals. however, leucism differs from albinism in that it’s only a partial loss of melanin; this bird can be identified as leucistic by their blue eyes, which would be pink or red in an albino bird. leucism often causes premature death in birds, as it makes them more vulnerable to predators and social rejection; additionally, melanin is an important component in birds’ feathers, and birds with less melanin may have weak or brittle feathers that result in poor flight or trouble staying warm. however, this individual has survived to adulthood and seems to be in good health as well as accepted by their flock.

[typhlonectes]

Leucistic American Badger at Point Reyes!

Recently, a unique sight was spotted here in Point Reyes National Seashore - a leucistic American Badger! You may think that it is an albino, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that its eyes are actually brown or black, not pink. Its nose also has some pigment to it. Leucism is a genetic mutation where there is only a partial loss of pigmentation, while albinism is when there is a total absence of pigmentation. Albino creatures will look white (or sometimes pale yellowish) in color, with very pale pink or red eyes. Leucistic creatures can look white in patches or almost completely white, but their eyes will always have color to them. Just like this badger whose normally brown stripes are showing up more as a dark cream color! Photo by David Kramer as he hastily pulled out his cell phone to get this photo while on a hike in the Seashore.

via: Point Reyes National Seashore (California)

[cannedpeachess]

No because the way I get so VISCERALLY angry when someone refers to an animal as albino when they’re actually leucistic, erythristic, or xanthochromatic is both deeply irrational and greatly unhealthy

ALBINISM

Total loss of melanin in the body, i.e. skin, hair/fur/feathers, and eyes (the eyes look pink/red because the lack of melanin in the eye exposes the blood vessels within it to light, which then reflects their red hue)

LEUCISM

Partial loss of melanin in the body; the pattern of melanin distribution is unique in each case, so some people or animals with this condition may have patches of typically-colored skin/hair/fur in addition to pigmented eyes, while others may only have the aforementioned ocular pigmentation

ERYTHRISM

Abnormal prevalence of reddish pigment in the skin/hair/fur/feathers of an animal; concentration of this pigment varies case by case, so humans/animals with the condition can present anywhere from only slightly pink to intensely red in color; to my knowledge, the condition does not affect the eyes

XANTHOCHROMISM

Abnormal prevalence of yellow pigment in the skin/hair/fur/feathers of an animal; similar to erythrism, color intensity can vary from light golden hues to deep yellows; again, to my knowledge, the condition does not affect the eyes

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk

[everydayesterday]

Wild Turkeys, including a leucistic female (this coloration occurs in approx. 1/100,000 per Audubon).

photos by me, 2024-03-25. A cloudy day at Cornelia Fort Airpark, so I will try another day when the lighting conditions are better, hoping that the leucistic bird is still around.

[tsalala]

Leucistic puma in Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgãos, Brazil in 2013. Photo via Carlos Soares.

[violetsandshrikes]

To start the week off right - here’s some partially leucistic kiwi from the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa!

[birdblues]

Leucistic Barred Owl

[ostdrossel]

And here's Leucy, the leucistic Junco.

[dozydawn]

“Piebald and whitetailed fawn.” Maine Wildlife Park, 2015.

[fyanimaldiversity]

Leucistic black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

@ wendybirdsbyrv

[todaysbird]

a unique looking american crow, all white with black wingtips and a black head, stands on a building. this bird is affected by leucism, a genetic mutation where the amount of melanin and other pigmentation is reduced. it can occur evenly through the body, or in certain portions, like in this bird. the condition differs from albinism in that it is not a complete lack of melanin, so affected individuals will not have pink eyes or feet.

[velvetedantler]

gorgeous leucistic fisher (Pekania pennanti) from iNaturalist

[vaahlkult]

Winter Possum ❄️🌿

[namu-the-orca]

Cetacean colour anomalies existing as a gradient let's goooooo.

No seriously I love it when this is a thing. Still part of the colour anomalies poster(s) series. Currently 102 illustrations down, and quite a few more to go.

Depicted here are Atlantic spotted dolphin, Pacific white-sided dolphin and Striped dolphin, with various colour-altering afflictions.