Mutant White Penguin Spotted in Antarctica
"Easily Hunted by Predators"
A mutant penguin with an entirely white body has been discovered on the Antarctic continent, drawing significant attention. This penguin is known to have white feathers due to a genetic mutation called leucism.
On the 16th (local time), foreign media including the New York Post reported that the white penguin was found near the Gonzalez Videla Antarctic base on the 4th.
The species of this penguin is known to be the Gentoo penguin. The Gentoo penguin is the third largest penguin species currently existing, following the Emperor penguin and the King penguin. Generally, its belly is white, its head and back are black, and it is characterized by an orange beak.
Unlike its peers, this penguin’s entire body is white, which is presumed to be due to the genetic condition called leucism. Leucism causes the skin, fur, or feathers to turn white except for the eyes, and it differs from albinism, which results from a deficiency in melanin synthesis.
However, experts pointed out that this penguin will face many challenges in the wild because it is easily spotted by predators. Veterinarian Dr. Diego Penaloza said, "Cases of leucism are very rare because if the body is mostly white, it is easy prey for predators." Netizens who saw the penguin expressed various reactions such as "I hope it lives a long and trouble-free life" and "Live a happy life."
Meanwhile, the population of Gentoo penguins is known to be not very large. According to data released by the British Antarctic Survey and others, the Gentoo penguin is the rarest species among penguins living in Antarctica, with about 300,000 breeding pairs currently.
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