Baby giant tortoise from the Galapagos, the first albino of its kind born in a zoo

Zoo staff estimate that the chances of this happening are only one in 100.000, as albinism is thought to be up to five times less common in turtles than in humans.

18649 views 1 comment(s)
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

One of the rarest animals in the world was born in a Swiss zoo - a giant albino tortoise from the Galapagos.

Employees at the Tropicvarium Zoo in Servion, Switzerland, are overjoyed at the birth of two baby giant tortoises.

In itself, this is quite rare, as the mating success rate is only about two to three percent for this species of turtle.

And it is even more unusual that one baby is completely white.

"This is the first time in the world that an albino Galapagos tortoise has been born in captivity.

"No albino turtles have ever been seen in the wild," the zoo said in a statement.

Zoo staff estimate that the chances of this happening are only one in 100.000, as albinism is thought to be up to five times less common in turtles than in humans.

The Reuters news agency states that the mother is around 30 years old and weighs more than 100 kilograms, while the male weighs as much as 180 kilograms.

The couple has just reached sexual maturity.

The mother laid five eggs on February 11, and two babies hatched in May, after the eggs spent two and a half months in the incubator.

However, they were presented to visitors for the first time only in June.

Baby turtles weigh about 50 grams at birth and, as you can see, fit in the palm of your hand.


What is albinism?

Albinism is a rare hereditary disorder that leads to a lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes.

Due to the lack of melanin in the skin, people with albinism are more susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun.


Watch the video about Diego - the male turtle who saved the species


Follow us on Facebook,Twitter i Viber. If you have a topic proposal for us, contact us at bbcnasrpskom@bbc.co.uk

Bonus video: