News Excerpt:
Recently, an extremely rare all-white penguin spotted in Chilean Antarctica.
Key Points:
- The penguin spotted at the Gabrial Gonzalez Videla Base is a female of the Gentoo species, which typically has black feathers with a few whites.
|
Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua)
|
About the unique white gentoo penguin:
- The penguin has an unusual white plumage caused by leucistic pigmentation, It is a genetic variation that can occur in some individuals, which affects the production of colouration in the skin, feather or hair. Although the condition is commonly genetic, trauma can also cause it.
- In leucism, the cells are unable to produce some pigments. It occurs naturally and affects less than one percent of a population.
- It differs from albinism as the penguin's eyes and beak are of usual colour.
- Gentoo penguins are frequently spotted in the vicinity of the base, and this region is considered their habitat.
- The white colour of the penguin makes it unique, it also makes it easier for the predators to hunt her.
- The decline of the population on sub-Antarctic islands has been the primary reason for this categorisation.
