10 Albino Squirrel Facts You Need to Know!

Albino squirrels are pretty rare and, therefore, a sight to behold. They have white fur with red eyes because they lack melanin (the pigment that gives your hair and skin color). These rare creatures look like they’ve been sprinkled with powdered sugar and are just as sweet as any other squirrel. We’ll take a peek into the fascinating world of albino squirrel facts. You might be surprised by what you read!

What is an Albino Squirrel?

An albino squirrel is a squirrel that has Albinism. It lacks pigment in its fur, resulting in a pale white coat. Albino squirrels are rare, and their striking appearance often makes them the subject of fascination.

Albino and white squirrels are almost exclusively Eastern gray squirrels but can also be fox squirrels—their color results from the albinism factor or the white morph gene.

What is Albinism?

Albinism is an inherited genetic mutation that suppresses the production of melanin. Melanin hormone creates pigment, giving hair, scales, eyes, skin, and fur color.

Lifespan of an Albino Squirrel

Though their lifespan is relatively short compared to other animals, they still enjoy a good quality of life.

On average, an albino squirrel will live in the wild for around 3-5 years. This may seem short, but it is pretty long for a small rodent. In captivity, albino squirrels can live up to 10 years or more with proper care.

Interesting Albino Squirrel Facts

1) Eyes

An albino’s lack of pigment often causes the eyes to develop abnormally, leading to many eye problems. Their inability to use both eyes, called binocular vision, results in poor depth perception.

The eyes are red or blue. The eyes appear red because the blood vessels are close to the surface because there is no pigment in the iris.

2) Fur

The squirrel has white snow-like fur.

3) Survival

• An albino squirrel is at a disadvantage in the wild. Their uncamouflaged appearance makes hiding from predators, like hawks, difficult and significantly reduces their lifespan.

• Albino squirrels have no protection from the sun.

• Their family often outcastes them, and they become loners, decreasing their survival chances.

4) What are the Odds of Seeing a White Squirrel?

The odds of seeing a white squirrel are about 1 in 10,000.

White Squirrel vs Albino Squirrel

There are several key differences between white squirrels and albino squirrels. For starters, white squirrels typically have white fur with black eyes, while albino squirrels have white fur with red eyes.

White squirrels, also called leucistic squirrels, are not truly albino since they produce melanin pigment, while albino squirrels cannot. Finally, white squirrels tend to be larger than albino squirrels.

Leucistic Squirrel

Leucism is a condition where a partial loss of pigmentation in animals results in white, pale, or patchy coloring. Leucistic squirrels usually have black eyes and white fur, although they may also have pale gray or cream-colored fur. While leucism is sometimes confused with albinism, it is a different condition.

There are several different types of leucism, including:

• Tetra-leucism – there is a complete loss of pigmentation in the body, but the eyes retain their standard color.
• Partial leucism – only some parts of the body are affected by the condition
• Spotty leucism – random patches of white or pale coloration on the body.

5) What are the Odds of Seeing an Albino Squirrel?

Albino squirrels are incredibly rare, with estimates suggesting that there is only one for every 100,000 regular squirrels. So, your odds of seeing an albino squirrel are slim – but not impossible. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you’ll be in for a real treat!

More Albino Squirrel Facts

6) Native American Meaning – White Squirrel

Albino squirrels have been a symbol of peace since the early 14th Century. Native Americans released a white squirrel onto the battlefield to represent a surrender to their opponent.

Most Native American tribes believe hunting or killing an albino animal is taboo. The hunter is punished and cursed for the remainder of their life. A hunter’s punishment for killing an albino squirrel is the loss of all hunting privileges.

7) Mythological Creature

An albino squirrel has a special place in mythology, which symbolizes that change is coming and urges you to prepare for it.

8) Squirrel Population – Olney, Illinois

It’s been more than 40 years since Olney College’s Dr. John Stencil started the Count, a monitoring system for the population’s health. Since then, volunteers have come from all over Illinois to participate yearly. Every volunteer walks a specific route and records the number of white squirrels, grey squirrels, cats (squirrels’ greatest foes), feeders, and nests.

9) Albino Squirrels Have Special Privileges in Olney, Illinois

The town of Olney, Illinois, claims to be the home to the albino white squirrels. Squirrels in Olney benefit from protection against cats, motorists, and kidnappers.

• The police officers wear squirrel badges and enforce an ordinance stating that outside cats must always wear a leash.

• All squirrels have the right-of-way on streets and sidewalks.
• A person that harms a squirrel faces a criminal offense carrying a $750 fine.

10) Are Albino Squirrels Rare?

Yes, about one in a million gray squirrels are affected by Albinism. Gene mutations resulting in Albinism must come from both parents, a rare phenomenon. The squirrel appears normal in color if the gene only comes from one parent.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, 11 nutty albino squirrel facts that are incredible and true. If you have photographed a white or albino squirrel, let us know, and submit your squirrel photos to appear on the website.

Look at the video below of Monte, the original Alabama Albino squirrel!