I thought you might like to see this little fluffball which I met whilst out on a lunchtime walk yesterday. People have shown me pictures of albino deer and squirrels before, but this is the first time I have seen one for myself. It was very busy digging for nuts and was in no mood to pose for any pesky human. It was a question of snatching photos as it dashed back and forth. This is the best of the bunch...many are just a white smudge! It's caused by a lack of melanin and it had the classic red eyes.
Arilx
.jpg)
There is a town in Southern Illinois called Olney, where white squirrels abound. One is pictured in the city seal, and features in a lot of advertising in that area. If you google Olney, Illinois, USA, you will no doubt learn a lot about a little community which cashes in on its white squirrel population. I grew up near there and have cousins who live there still.
ReplyDeleteI've just looked Olney up. Wow 200 of them! Arilx
DeleteI live near a park that has lots and lots of squirrels and I've visited this park since 1964 and have never seen a white one, you were so lucky. I wonder how he is going to fare being white as he is so obvious to prey.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
I think that they are more often predated because they are so easily seen. Fingers crossed that this one is ok. Arilx
DeleteI have never seen one. You ARE privileged!
ReplyDeleteI gather from Ana's comment above that they are in Olney Illinois Arilx
DeleteNever seen one before...and I've lived quite a long time! x
ReplyDeleteI'd only seen greys with a bit of white before but the lack of pigmentation has a different cause I understand. Arilx
Delete