albinism in science called pigmented lesions, the absence of one of pigment - melanin.It usually is congenital.This pigment responsible for coloring skin, hair and iris.It varies partial and complete human albinism and some representatives of fauna (with the partial, for example, an albino animal, has an incomplete, fragmented color).The word comes from the Latin albus, meaning "white".
reasons
scientifically proved by modern research, the main reason for this phenomenon may be the lack (and lock) a particular enzyme in the body that is responsible for the synthesis of melanin.This enzyme is called tyrosinase.The genes that are responsible for its formation and replenishment, there are a variety of disorders.As a result - the lack of the characteristic color of the species.
albinos and melanistic
this phenomenon in nature can be contrasted melanism phenomenon, when the black color in animals is the result of excess pigment is responsible for it.Thus, there are, for example, an albino tiger and jaguar-melanistic (so-called black panther) in which genetically clearly visible opposite processes.What
fauna may be albinos?
Albino - the animal is able to appear among the many species of the Kingdom.This is mainly mammals.But there are albino penguins, vultures, and peacocks among birds, among amphibians - turtles and reptiles, known to researchers and some fish albino.Albinos - a rare animal, but scientifically documented or even crocodiles, such as sea urchins and snakes.What nature creates these representatives of various kinds, depriving them of certain genes remains a mystery.But the fact is that about every ten or twenty thousand representatives of this or that kind of one - albino.
Government of
Pro or albino eyes like creatures walk various legends, and the confirmation of scientific data.How can they just do not anoint: and vampires and otherworldly beings, and extraterrestrial beings.And all because of an albino - an animal that has red or blue eyes.But then the whole thing more prosaic than it seems at first glance.In the absence of pigmentation and color light reflected in the eyeball flows through blood vessels having a red color.Thus, the capillaries like shine through lacking the melanin of the eye.Hence, the "vampire" of the color of many albinos in nature.
Tiger albino
so-called "white" tiger is not a separate subspecies.This Bengal tiger with a congenital mutation previously thought albino.Fur it is white with black and brown stripes on the body.Blue eyes.This original coloring of the animal led to the emergence in ancient times, tales and legends with his participation.However, oddly enough, it was scientifically described for the first time only in 1951, bitterly aware, but last seen in the wild white tiger was killed in 1958.All other individuals - about 130 - are in captivity in zoos and parks.Of these, more than one hundred - India.According to modern scientific data, the white tiger is not a complete albino (otherwise it would have been without color fringes, pure white).Such coloring is caused by the presence of recessive genes.
albino rats
There is a perception among many breeders common perception that these rat - a special and very sensitive species of animals, requires greater affection and attention.It is supported by, and reviews of those who hold in their snow-white furry animal with eyes vampirenysha.And in fact, nothing special in albino rats there.Just missing the pigment melanin, like other animals, are vulnerable to these natural defect.And the fact that rats are smart, it's the color does not depend.Therefore, setting the stage for a pet, you need to treat it as a normal domestic rat: to feed the same food, the same care, as recommended for the species.By the way, almost the only thing you need to consider - from albino eyesight is slightly worse than the other, "normal" rats.Therefore, it should be treated with understanding if the animal does not see feed or may not go to the water drinkers.With this disadvantage has to have to be more attentive.
