An extremely rare white alligator died Monday at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, the organization said in a statement on its Facebook page.
"Spots," which had been with the aquarium since 1990, was 28.
The reptile suffered from leucism, a genetic condition that that produces less than typical amounts of skin pigmentation, creating a patchwork of normal coloring. Leucistic creatures face increased odds of survival in the wild, where they're easily spotted by predators and left exposed to the sun, the statement said.
U.S. & World
Spots was believed to be one of fewer than 15 white alligators in the U.S. — out of a population of 5 million.
