I know the article is not talking about albinos but we have an albino squirrel in our neighborhood and they are rare.
The difference in albino and white squirrels is:
“Albino squirrels have a white fur coat, but, have pink or blue eyes, due to a genetic condition called albinism. This is a rare condition, when compared to white squirrels. So, the basic difference between white and albino squirrels lies in the eye color. While albino squirrels have pink or blue eyes, white ones have dark-colored eyes. In case of albino squirrels, the absence of melanin in the eyes affect their vision and impaired vision results in falls and injuries, that leads to loss of life. This makes it very rare to find a true albino squirrel”.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/albino-squirrel.html
I have been close enough to him to see the pink eyes but I’m trying to get him on camera. When/if that happens, I’ll post a picture. As the above states - If he lives that long..
There is a colony of white squirrels in a Western NC town. Think it’s Brevard.
http://whitesquirrels.com/about-white-squirrels/
I know a woman that has ‘pinto’ pattern and white deer in her neighborhood.
Talking to some hunters, they consider them animals with poor genes and want them exterminated.
I think they are beautiful.
Albinism is a death sentence for critters in snowy or alpine regions. Their first winter out of the den/nest without their protective eye pigment they are blinded by the glare. Albinism is only a survival advantage if you’re a tiger working for Sigfried and Roy.