For The First Time Ever, Tiny Albino Tortoise Makes Public Debut In Switzerland Zoo
The month-old albino tortoise recently made its first zoo appearance alongside its 220-pound mother.
A 'first of its kind' tiny white Galapagos tortoise has made a public debut at a zoo in Switzerland.
This cute little animal is officially the first-ever recorded albino Galapagos tortoise with pale skin and red eyes.
According to ABC News, the tiny tortoise was born in the month of May. Its egg spent two and a half months in an incubator at Tropiquarium, in Servion.
RARE SIGHTING: A baby albino Galapagos Giant Tortoise made its debut at Switzerland¡¯s Tropiquarium in Servion. https://t.co/IhPWoaivgr pic.twitter.com/cUlrpyQGVI
¡ª ABC News (@ABC) June 6, 2022
In a statement, the zoo staff wrote: ¡°Albinism is rare in turtles with approximately one case per 100,000 individuals compared to approximately one case per 20,000 individuals in humans.¡±
The statement also added that these species are endangered. These turtles were bred as part of a ¡®species conservation program¡¯. The tiny tortoise weighs around 50 grams (1.7 ounces or 1.10 pounds) and can easily fit into the palm of your hand.
??? ?This is a teeny tiny, albino, Gal¨¢pagos giant tortoise - one of two that recently hatched at Tropiquarium, a zoo in Switzerland.
¡ª ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) June 13, 2022
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This is extremely rare - there's no wild documented cases, and this is the first time it's been seen in captivity.
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??: Tropiquarium pic.twitter.com/aEVQorqi1K
According to reports, the mother weighs more than 100 kilos (220 pounds or 3527 ounces). She gave birth to another turtle who is black, just like her parents.
Visitors can now catch a glimpse of a rare albino Galapagos giant tortoise at a Swiss zoo https://t.co/i9tmVUtlBC pic.twitter.com/OwhmCLFwem
¡ª Reuters (@Reuters) June 4, 2022
Albino animals are unable to produce a skin pigment known as melanin, which is what gives colour to skin, hair, eyes and feathers ¡ª and in this case, the tortoise's shell. Albino animals often have red eyes since their eyes have no pigment. Thus, the eyes appear the same colour as the blood vessels underneath the eyes.
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