Claude (alligator)
Alligator mississippiensis | |
Sex | Male |
---|---|
Hatched | September 15, 1995 |
Occupation | Exhibit |
Owner | California Academy of Sciences |
Weight | 222 lb (101 kg) |
Claude (hatched September 15, 1995) is an
Background
Claude was hatched on September 15, 1995, in Florida, weighing 2 ounces (57 g).[1] He weighs 222 pounds (101 kg) and is 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m) long.[2] He has 76 teeth.[1]
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.[1] 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.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Guthrie, Julian (September 14, 2010). "Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday". SFGate. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Famous gator gets a check-up". June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday". SF gate. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Rubenstein, Steve (February 9, 2015). "Tough times for koi continue as S.F. aquarium looks to sever ties". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "The Swamp". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved August 7, 2015.