Not all penguins wear tuxedos.
A rare white penguin has been discovered at a scientific base in Antarctica. It stood out among the black and white penguins.
The bird, which belongs to the Gentoo species, was discovered on January 4 by researchers at the González Videla Antarctic Station. CBS News reported.
This species typically has a reddish-orange beak and a black head with white spots around the eyes, which is the result of a genetic mutation known as leucism.
“The pigmentation is present, but it's not present in the whole specimen,” veterinarian Dr. Diego Penaloza told Reuters, adding there have been instances of this mutation in other species, including giraffes, crocodiles, whales and bison. said.
Unlike albinism, which affects all melanin production, albinism does not affect the pigment cells of the eye.
Although this condition is not harmful in itself, it can still be dangerous to penguins.
“In this case, it's an animal with a mostly white body, which could make it easier for predators to hunt it, which is why cases of leukism are also very rare,” Penaloza said.
“Because in addition to being a recessive gene, which is rarely seen in penguins, it is also an animal that is very likely to be easily eaten by predators,” he added.
According to the Australian Antarctic Program, gentoo penguins are the third largest extant penguin species, with adults ranging in size from about 11 to 17.5 pounds.
Emperor penguins, on the other hand, can grow up to 4 feet tall and weigh more than 88 pounds, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Gentoos are one of the rarest Antarctic penguin species, with “approximately 300,000 breeding pairs,” according to the British Antarctic Survey.
They are also known for having the “most prominent” tail of all penguin species, which sways from side to side as they walk.
