Tim Clifton was recently blessed to witness a rare albino squirrel in Royal Deeside, Sussex, England. At first, he thought the white rodent was a seagull, but on closer inspection, he realized it was the rare albino squirrel. It wasn’t scared of him and even came up to him as if asking for something to eat. This albino squirrel was a rare sight and quite awe-inspiring.
Albinism is a genetic condition that results in an animal’s fur or skin being all white, and these animals are very rare in nature. Experts believe this particular white squirrel to be a red squirrel, as it had the hairy ear tufts absent in grey squirrels. It is believed that albino squirrels are especially vulnerable in the wild due to their lack of camouflage and may be more prone to predation.
Rare animals like this are a sight to behold, and it’s a reminder that these animals do still exist, but not all of us get to see them. To spot one in the wild is an incredible experience and a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Wildlife conservation efforts are more important than ever and will ensure that more of these rare creatures remain in existence for future generations to admire.
Albino squirrels are so rare that it is estimated that only one in every 100,000 squirrels is an albino. Although the squirrel is almost entirely white, its eyes and claws are a bright pink.
So if you ever have the chance to visit Royal Deeside, keep an eye out for the rare albino squirrel – who knows, you might be lucky enough to spot it and get a few snapshots of your own!