Sex Male Weight 222 pounds (101 kg) | Occupation Exhibit Children Rose of Kingston | |
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Born 15 September 1995 (age 21)
Florida ( 1995-09-15 ) Species Alligator mississippiensis Owner California Academy of Sciences | ||
Claude is an albino alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at the California Academy of Sciences. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, which results in his skin color. He also has poor eye-sight due to his albinism.
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Background
Claude was born on 15 September 1995 in Florida weighing 2 ounces (57 g). He weighs 222 pounds (101 kg) and is 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m) long. He has 76 teeth.
He was in danger in the wilderness due to albinism which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like the other alligators. There are only a couple dozen albino alligators in the world, all in captivity. Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008. Claude's toe was amputated after developing an infection from being bitten by another alligator.
Color
Claude appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin. This is due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes.
In popular culture
Claude is referenced in an episode of We Bare Bears where Chloe and Ice Bear try to see an albino alligator at a museum in San Francisco.