Unpigmented penguin something special for Antarctic scientists

[neoprodigy]

Unpigmented penguin something special for Antarctic scientists



Posted Wed Jan 2, 2008 8:20pm AEDT
Updated Thu Jan 3, 2008 7:51am AEDT

The sighting of a rare penguin has excited researchers newar Mawson Huts in Antarctica.
An adult, unpigmented Adelie penguin was photographed near Granholm Hut on Sunday.
Penguins lacking pigmentation are referred to as "leucistic" and don't usually survive until adulthood because they attract predators and don't breed.
Australian Antarctic Division biologist, Rhonda Pike, says only one penguin with the genetic defect has been detected over a number of breeding seasons in a population of 4,000 Adelies.
"We have a population of tagged birds out there and we've never tagged any of the leucistic birds," said Ms Pike.
"So we don't know if it's the same one coming back year after year, but yeah, one out of 4,000."

 

[Stone Like Fish]

Neat. I want one! Suprised they don't catch it and ship it off to a zoo or something

 

[toehead11183]

yea the japanese would love that

 

[skiptomyzoo]

haha i actually collect penguin-related stuff, as thier my favorite animal, so thanks alot for sharing this article, interesting!

 

[bigspizz]

My favorite animal as well

 

[Stone Like Fish]

Oooh i see why Li likes this penguin: its short and unpigmented like him.

 

[Mystix212]

Oooh i see why Li likes this penguin: its short and unpigmented like him.

Another priceless joke at Li's expense.

+1 For Australia for discovering this cool Pengiun.

 

[Death Pony]

I'm suprised that little fella' has survoved the leopard seals without the black. Bet it disapears in snow storms.

 

[importracer]

I'm suprised that little fella' has survoved the leopard seals without the black. Bet it disapears in snow storms.

It is so white, the freakin' lep seals might mistaken it for an ice cube with turbo jets.....Or, better yet....A piece of bird terd with turbo jets....Bird terds are still white, right???