Claude (alligator) explained

Claude
Species:	Alligator mississippiensis
Gender:	Male
Hatch Date:	15 September 1995
Weight:	222lb

Claude (hatched September 15, 1995) is an albino alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, United States. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, resulting in colorless skin, and he has poor eyesight associated with his albinism.

Background

Claude was hatched on September 15, 1995, in Florida, weighing 2oz.^[1] He weighs 222lb and is 9inchesft5inchesin (ftin) long.^[2] He has 76 teeth.

He was in danger in the wilderness owing to albinism which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. There are only a couple of dozen known albino alligators in the world, all in captivity.^[3] Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008. In 2009, a finger on Claude's right claw was amputated after developing an infection from being bitten by another alligator.^[4]

Claude appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin.^[5] He also has poor eyesight due to his albinism.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday . SFGate . September 14, 2010 . August 8, 2015 . Guthrie, Julian.
2. Web site: Famous gator gets a check-up . June 10, 2013 . August 8, 2015.
3. Web site: Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday. SF gate. August 8, 2015.
4. Web site: Tough times for koi continue as S.F. aquarium looks to sever ties . San Francisco Chronicle . February 9, 2015 . August 8, 2015 . Rubenstein, Steve.
5. Web site: The Swamp. California Academy of Sciences. August 7, 2015.