When we think of a Puma, Cougar, or Mountain Lion – they have many names! – we think of their brownish-yellow or greyish-red coats. Making the pure white puma cub born in the Thomas Belt Zoo in Nicaragua all the more special! Join us in learning more about this special albino cub through this article.
Meet the White Puma Cub
A couple of months ago, a Puma mother gave birth to three cubs, two of them with brownish-red coats covered in spots and exactly what you would expect Puma cubs to look like! The third cub, however, had a surprising appearance.
Meet Itzae
Itzae, meaning “gift from God” was born with a snow-white coat, pink nose, and light eyes. Surprising everyone working at the Thomas Belt Zoo in Nicaragua, yet her mother loves her all the same!
The Reason Behind the Rare Coloring
Itzae’s unique appearance is due to a genetic mutation called albinism. Much the same as when this occurs in humans, animals born with albinism lack the pigments that give them color. This causes their skin, fur, and eyes to appear white and pale. Giving them their striking white appearance!
How Common are Albino Pumas?
Itzae is the first albino Puma cub to be born in Nicaragua and according to the veterinarian at the Thomas Belt Zoo, only one of four to be born in captivity in the world.
Genetic
Due to albinism being a recessive gene that both parents have to carry, and carry over, for offspring to be born with this genetic mutation, is extremely rare. And albino pumas are rarely seen in the wild.
Challenges
Although Itzae is eating, healthy, and adorable, her mutation makes her vulnerable to sunlight due to her lack of pigmentation. Even her eyes are exceptionally sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, meaning that she needs a lot of special care.
Lucky
Luckily she is healthy and lives in a place where she can be helped and cared for. Albino animals in the wild are not that lucky, they are vulnerable to the sun’s exposure and can’t camouflage like their other family members. Their white fur exposes them to predators in their habitats and even makes hunting difficult.
The Video
Watch the video HERE!
Final Say on the White Puma Cub
The rarety of Itzae the albino Puma cub has brought a lot of attention to her and the zoo she lives in. With people all over the world coming to have a look at her rare beauty! This white puma cub feels no different from her siblings, and her mother loves her all the same. We are excited to see her grow up and wish her many healthy years!
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