Claude (alligator) facts for kids
Claude in 2008 in his swamp at the California Academy of Sciences
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| Species | Alligator mississippiensis |
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| Sex | Male |
| Hatched | September 15, 1995 |
| Owner | California Academy of Sciences |
| Weight | 222 lb (101 kg) |
Claude is a very special American alligator who lives at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California. He was born on September 15, 1995. What makes Claude unique is that he is an albino alligator. This means his skin is completely white because he lacks a special color pigment called melanin. Because of his albinism, Claude also has poor eyesight.
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Meet Claude the Albino Alligator
Claude hatched in Florida on September 15, 1995. When he was born, he was very tiny, weighing only about 2 ounces (57 g). By 2013, he had grown quite a bit! He weighed around 222 pounds (101 kg) and was about 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m) long. Claude also has 76 teeth.
Why Claude is Special
Claude is an albino alligator. This means his body does not make the pigment called melanin. Melanin is what gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. Because Claude lacks melanin, his skin looks completely white. This is why he stands out so much!
Life in the Wild is Hard for Albinos
Being an albino alligator is very rare. There are only about two dozen known albino alligators in the world, and all of them live in places like zoos or aquariums. In the wild, it is very hard for an albino alligator to survive. Their white skin makes it impossible for them to hide or camouflage themselves. Other alligators can blend in with their swampy surroundings, but Claude would be easily seen by predators or prey.
Claude's Home at the Academy
Because it was too dangerous for him to live in the wild, Claude was brought to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008. He has lived there ever since. In 2009, Claude had a small accident. Another alligator bit his right claw, and one of his fingers got infected. Doctors had to remove that finger to help him get better. Now, Claude is a beloved resident at the Academy, teaching visitors all about alligators and albinism.
