Claude (alligator)


Claude is an albino alligator at the California Academy of Sciences. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, which results in his skin color. He also has poor eye-sight due to his albinism.

Background

Claude was hatched on 15 September 1995 in Florida weighing. He weighs and is long. He has 76 teeth.
He was in danger in the wilderness owing to albinism which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. There are only a couple of dozen known albino alligators in the world, all in captivity. Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008. Claude's toe was amputated after developing an infection from being bitten by another alligator.
Claude appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin. This is due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes.