We Love Animals
Animals Wildlife

First-Ever White Cougar Spotted In Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

A series of striking photos of an extremely rare white cougar have recently baffled the Internet. The four images were taken in 2013, but they recently resurfaced as scientists confirmed this was the first ever recorded case of a leucistic puma. The snaps were taken using trap camera in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, a reservation located in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

Image credits ICMBio

Even if albinismm, leucism and even melanism is pretty frequent among wild cats, there have never been records of cougars suffering of these genetical conditions. The reason still remains a mystery for scientists.

“That shows you how extremely unusual it is,” executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Big Cats Program Luke Hunter told National Geographic. “My best guess is that the distant ancestor of pumas was uniformly colored, and that has been maintained in the species ever since. But that’s just a consequence of the randomness of mutation, the roll of the genetic dice.”

This first case of leucism at cougars would have helped researchers to understand why this genetic color aberration occurs so rarely, but unfortunately after the initial encounter back in 2013, the rare animal has never been seen again. “The camera trap monitoring project restarted last year, but we still have no new record of this animal or any other odd-colored pumas,” Cecília Cronemberger de Faria, environmental analyst for Serra dos Órgãos National Park, told National Geographic.

Even they’re a great sight due to their unique, unlikely coloring, wild animals that suffer of albinism, melanism or leucism face a lot of challenges. They are extremely vulnerable in front predators and sadly, they’re frequently rejected by their groups.

Source: Majesticanimals

Related posts

Elephant Herd Walks For 12 Hours To Pay Their Last Respects To Their Human Friend

Margot Nolan

“I’m Not Kidding”, Baby Hippo Yells Out For Help After A Bird Flock Land On Its Back

Margot Nolan

15+ Sweet Photos Of Humans Sleeping Soundly With Their Pets

Carolyn Mullet

Abandoned Baby Fox Builds A Special Bond With Two Orphaned Badger Cubs At Sanctuary

Margot Nolan

These Dolphins Keep Grinning When Seeing A Sloth For The First Time

Margot Nolan

Weigh Less Than 2g And Wear A Stunning iridescent Coat, The Bee Hummingbird Is The Jewel Of Nature

Margot Nolan

It’s Real Life Lion King: Lion Dad Spotted Hugging His Cub Lovingly

Olivia

10+ Cats You Won’t Believe They Actually Exist

Carolyn Mullet

30 Pictures Of Animals That Enjoy Bathing Time

Carolyn Mullet

Meet Snowcap, A Strikingly Beautiful Hummingbird With One-of-its-kind Red Wine, Deep Purple Plumage

Margot Nolan

Elephant Interrupts Her Caretaker’s Talk, Bringing Her To See Her New Little Friend And Sing A Lullaby To Her

Olivia

Meet Wire-tailed Manakin, A Stunningly Beautiful Tiny Bird With Yellow Face And Belly And Bright Red Crown

Olivia