Color Mutations

Melanism, Albinism, and Leucism

What Are Color Mutations?

Word of the Week

Mutation

Mutations are unusual changes to an organism's DNA. Mutations can cause animals to look or act differently than the rest of their species.

Mutations can cause animals to appear white, like this leucistic peacock.

Species Spotlight

White Tiger

Leucistic Tigers

White tigers are some of the most well-loved animals in the world. However, white tigers are just Bengal tigers with a color mutation!

White tigers are leucistic. They do not produce the melanin (pigment) that makes their fur orange. However, they still produce the melanin that gives their fur dark stripes.

For a tiger to be born white (leucistic), both parents must have the color mutation. Therefore, two white tigers will typically produce white offspring.

Leucistic tigers are very uncommon in the wild. Scientists estimate only 1 in 10,000 tigers are born with white fur. However, they are much more common in captivity, like in zoos. White tigers are specifically bred with other white tigers in zoos because they are more likely to produce a white cub.

Because so many people love white tigers, they bring business and money to these zoos. Unfortunately, breeding white tigers often has consequences because many white tigers in zoos are related. By breeding related white tigers, their offspring will likely be white but also have health problems. When animals are too closely related, their offspring may be unable to fight diseases, have heart, brain, or bone problems, or have other issues that make it hard for them to survive.

Find out if your local zoos have white tigers, black panthers, or other animals with color mutations. If so, reach out to make sure the zoo is breeding its animals responsibly and decide if you should support that zoo.

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BRAIN BLAST

Would an orange tiger or a white tiger be more successful in the wild? Why?

Conservation Corner

The Dangers of Being Unique

Rhinoceros horns, elephant tusks, and tiger fur help each animal survive. However, they are also the traits that often lead to that animal's death. Animals have been hunted for hundreds of years for their fascinating body parts. Unique or rare animals are most at risk to this very day.

White tigers, black panthers, and other animals with unique color mutations are rare in the wild. Additionally, the few born with color mutations may struggle to survive. For example, a white tiger would not be as well-camouflaged as an orange tiger. It may not catch enough food to survive because it cannot sneak on prey.

However, some of these uniquely colored animals do survive to adulthood. If so, the most important thing they can do for survival is stay away from humans. In the past, these uniquely colored animals have been photographed and shared with the world. Poachers who see the photos discover where the animals are. They can easily find and hunt them.

You can protect wild animals with color mutations by ignoring news articles and social media posts reporting their locations. Do not like or share posts. This will prevent others from seeing the reports, therefore protecting the animals!

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Quiz

Quiz Printable

Mutation Matchup

Match each photo to its mutation.

Mutation Matchup Printable

Color Mutation Challenge

Beginner

Draw and color each animal with its color mutation. Discuss as a group what the mutation is and how it would impact each animal's survival.
Beginner
Expert

Draw and color each animal and its color mutation. Answer the questions on each page to identify what the color mutation is, how it impacts the animal's survival, and how the animal could adjust its behavior to have a better chance at survival.
Expert

Glossary

Acquired Trait

A characteristic that is developed in an organism's lifetime.

Albinism

A mutation occurring when an animal does not produce any melanin. These animals appear all-white with red/pink eyes. Animals with albinism are called albino.

DNA

[Deoxyribonucleic acid] The unique genetic code that gives us our traits and makes each animal unique.

Dominant Trait

A trait that is more likely to be inherited and expressed. Brown eyes are a dominant trait.

Inbreeding

Occurs when related animals breed.

Inherited Trait

A characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring.

Leucism

A mutation occurring when an animal produces small amounts or patches of melanin. These animals appear all or partially white and have dark/colored eyes. Animals with leucism are called leucistic.

Melanin

The dark pigment that gives skin, hair, eyes, etc. its color.

Melanism

A mutation occurring when an animal produces abnormally large amounts melanin. These animals appear very dark or all-black in color. Animals with melanism are called melanistic.

Mutation

An abnormal change to an organism's DNA. Mutations often cause an animal to look or act differently.

Offspring

Another word for baby.

Physical Trait

A characteristic that is visible or measurable.

Piebald

A type of leucism resulting in patches of white.

Recessive Trait

A trait that is less likely to be inherited and expressed. Blue eyes are a recessive trait.