Two rare albino alligators have joined over 65,000 marine animals at Atlantis, The Palm's The Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Still unnamed, the endangered species who came from a farm in Florida, are the newest residents at the aquarium and the first of their kind in the UAE.

After many months of research and careful consideration, The Lost Chambers Aquarium team decided to add these two rare albino alligators having received them from a farm in Florida.

Albino alligators are the rarest amongst their cold-blooded relatives and are found in USA and in China. Their genetic white skin color gives them a truly intriguing appearance , and is the reason why they are often exploited.

The two reptiles i.e. albino alligator, which would not survive in the wild, have been placed in a chamber equipped with special heat lamps, which give a temperature gradient of between 26-33 degrees Celsius.

The objective behind getting them at Atlantis is to educate guests on different aquatic animals and to provide the best marine animal experiences in the world,. By learning more about these fascinating reptiles, people can conserve this critically endangered species.

While an alligator's lifespan is estimated to be 50 years or more, it is not the case with albino alligators. As a result of their genetic defect, albino alligators lack the ability to produce melanin in their skin, giving it a creamy white appearance. Their skin is said to be extremely sensitive to sunlight, and excessive sun can burn their skin, while their eyes usually cast a pinkish hue due to the visible blood vessels in the colourless irises. This lack of pigment, though viewed as beautiful, has its downside.

Most albino alligators rarely make it to adulthood because they are not able to camouflage themselves, making them an easy target in the wild. While myth has it that if you look into the eyes of an albino alligator it will bring good luck, the newcomers are now available at the The Lost Chambers Aquarium for public display after they completed their quarantine period.

Source : Gulf News