Photo of the Day

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The white squirrel is not a separate species, but a color variant that can occur in different species of rodents and is rather common. These animals are either albinos or leucists. Albino squirrels do not have pigment in their coat or skin due to a genetic trait that affects melanin production. They typically have red eyes.

White squirrels are a fascinating phenomenon in the world of rodents. I have seen them, but they were all leucists, not albinos.

Leucistic squirrels have white or very light coat colors, but retain the normal eye color. We have a white squirrel family living close by. They all have dark eyes.

White squirrels can be found worldwide, but their sightings remain rare and often limited to certain areas where these genetic traits are more common. In some communities, like where we live, here in Ohio, white squirrels are relatively common and are part of our wildlife.

Still, they stand out. I assume the white color is easier to spot by predators. We have so many hawks. As much as I hate seeing them carrying away one squirrel after another, I know it keeps nature’s scale in balance. I hope they won’t spot this one.

The squirrel was posing in the right light, and it let me see its red eyes.

It’s indeed an albino squirrel.