Glossary

albino

A person or animal lacking or deficient in normal pigmentation due to an absence of melanin. Albino animals typically possess red eyes, unlike leucistic forms which typically have normally-coloured eyes.

Used in 50 species profiles

Related terms

leucism
Condition in which all types of skin pigment are reduced due to defects in pigment cell differentiation with the normal result a partially (often referred to as 'pied' or 'piebald'), or more rarely, completely white animal. Differs from albinism, which is caused by a lack of melanin only, in several ways, with one of the most apparent being that albino animals typically have red eyes whereas leucism does not normally affect eye colour. Pronounced, and sometimes spelled, leukism.
leucistic
Of, relating to, or displaying leucism.
melanin
Any of various black, dark brown, reddish-brown, or yellow pigments found in animal or plants.
pigmentation
Colouration formed by deposition of pigments in tissues or cells.

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