Yellow Penguin, Potentially the First of Its Kind, Spotted by Photographer on Island Trip

Meltdown99

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/people.com/pets/first-yellow-penguin-photographed/%3famp=true

with all the shit going on.  This brought a smile.  Nature is great and wildlife are fantastic.

brianlux

Fascinating. 

"The photographer believes the yellow penguin is leucistic and has a condition that affects its pigmentation, turning the bird's normally black feathers yellow."

What I'm curious about is what causes this genetic mutation known as leucism?  Random chance?  Hole in the ozone layer? Breeding?  It's certainly not unheard of in other species, but why only one found so far in this species? 

lastexitlondon

So like albino?

Bentleyspop

lastexitlondon said:

So like albino?

Yes similar
I've seen leucistic squirrels
Its odd at first 

brianlux

lastexitlondon said:

So like albino?

Good question.

"Albinism is a condition in which there is an absence of melanin. Melanin is what is present in the skin and is what gives skin, feathers, hair and eyes their color. Vertebrates with albinism are not only white (or sometimes pale yellowish) in color but they also have very pale eyes, often pink or red in color as the blood vessels show through. Leucism is only a partial loss of pigmentation, which can make the animal have white or patchily colored skin, hair, or feathers. However, the pigment cells in the eyes are not affected by the condition."

https://sciencemadefun.net/blog/leucism-vs-albinism/

lastexitlondon

Nature is my love. As I've grown so has my wonderment of Nature 

brianlux

lastexitlondon said:

Nature is my love. As I've grown so has my wonderment of Nature 

I'm with you there, my friend!  I always enjoy natures awesomeness.