Zoo Ends Up With Rare White Alligator
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:19 pm
COLUMBIA, S.C. — While it awaiting its day in court, a rare white alligator is spending its days basking in Riverbanks Zoo's aquarium and reptile complex.
Only 10 other white alligators are known in captivity, all owned by the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.
White alligators are even more unusual in the wild because of their coloring. Most alligators are dark to hide the young from predators in their naturally dark habitat.
The white alligators, also known as leucistic alligators, aren't albino. Instead, they are simply born with white skin.
That rare trait is part of the reason Riverbanks Zoo has a white alligator.
The gator on display was one of three seized by the Department of Natural Resources after three men were arrested in September 2003 for taking the endangered species from the banks of a pond at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island.
The men said they captured the gators to keep them from being killed. They are awaiting trial.
Only 10 other white alligators are known in captivity, all owned by the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.
White alligators are even more unusual in the wild because of their coloring. Most alligators are dark to hide the young from predators in their naturally dark habitat.
The white alligators, also known as leucistic alligators, aren't albino. Instead, they are simply born with white skin.
That rare trait is part of the reason Riverbanks Zoo has a white alligator.
The gator on display was one of three seized by the Department of Natural Resources after three men were arrested in September 2003 for taking the endangered species from the banks of a pond at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island.
The men said they captured the gators to keep them from being killed. They are awaiting trial.
