Rare Sightings – News, Facts & Videos

Many things happen in the animal kingdom that go unnoticed. Things like rare genetic mutations, animals seeing their reflections for the first time, rare species, and even odd behaviors! 

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Rare Animal Mutations

Some animals are born with rare mutations. These are often a result of two parents with recessive genes sharing mutations with their offspring. Errors in DNA replication during cell division can also lead to mutations. Viral infections can also introduce foreign DNA into the animal’s genetic sequence which can result in long-lasting changes to their genetics.

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4 Unique Conditions and Mutations in Animals

1. Extra limbs: Some animals are born with two heads, extra legs, or even just one eye! Unfortunately, these animals do not live long in the wild. 
2. Albinism: When both parents carry the recessive gene for this mutation, offspring can be born without the pigmentation that gives them their color, like albino cougars – there are only 4 in the world we know of! 
3. Leucism: This occurs in animals born without the pigmentation of pheomelanin. In the case of tigers, they are born white compared to their normal yellow coloring, however, their eye color is not affected as in the case of albinism. 
4. Hybrid Animals: These animals have two parents of different species. Examples of these are Ligers, who have a Lion father and a Tiger mother. Some other examples include Zonkeys, Beefalo, and Wholphins! These animals are hardly found in the wild and are bred by humans. 

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