The unusual color is caused by a genetic mutation.
A very rare juvenile killer whale has been sighted by a scientific vessel off the coast of California. This male, who is 3 years old, is almost completely white in color, which is associated with a genetic mutation known as leucism.
Writes more about it Live Science.
Whale and killer whale watchers noticed an unusual white killer whale calf named Frosty. A young male killer whale was spotted with six adults 13 km off the coast of California.
Scientists have pointed out that the killer whale’s white coloration is caused by a genetic disorder called leucism rather than albinism, as there are several dark spots on its fin and muzzle. Leucism occurs when the cells of an animal do not produce the pigment melanin in full. Although light-skinned animals suffer from a lack of natural camouflage in the wild and are more susceptible to predation, Frosty has no problem with this, as killer whales are not natural predators.
Also, marine predators are not overexposed to sunlight, unlike white-coloured land animals whose skin is at risk for skin cancer. Scientists suggest that the white “calf” of the killer whale Frosty still has leucism, which will allow him to live to adulthood and live a full life in the ocean.
Earlier, Cursor reported that researchers had discovered a huge blue hole off the coast of Mexico. In the large bay of Chetumal off the coast of Mexico, researchers have found the world’s second largest blue hole, called Taam Jah (Mayan for “deep water”).
We remind you that astronomers have detected more than 20 mysterious radio signals from space.
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2023-04-30 07:38:37