Albino animals can be different species, including albino monkeys. They share a common trait: their skin and fur are completely white.
Albinism is an inherited condition when an animal does not have melanin. This is also the cause of their whiteness – skin, hair, feathers, or scales. Their eyes are also either pink or blue.
Albino monkey. Image credit: Andy Mitchell via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Are Albino Monkeys also white?
White monkeys do exist. White apes exist, too. Although, they are rare. Scientists say this may be related to genetic specifics because of which albinism occurs more rarely in primates.
Are there different types of albinism?
This condition may be caused by different genes. For example, in mice, around 100 genes are known to be related to albinism. This is because different genes are responsible for the production of hormones and proteins associated with the subsequent production of melanin.
Sometimes the term 'partial albinism' is used. However, if a monkey is not completely white, that means the partial discoloration is caused by other disorders. Albinism is associated with a complete lack of pigmentation, not partial.
There are rare cases of the so-called ocular albinism (OA), which mainly affects the eyes. However, the majority of occurrences belong to oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). OCA affects not just eyes, but also skin and hair.
Are there any problems associated with albinism?
This congenital condition comes with certain health risks.
The first risk is that albinism can lead to poor vision, because the absence of melanin interferes with the normal function of the visual system. There are several possible visual issues: short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, photophobia, nystagmus, or squint.
Another source of risk: the white skin of albino monkeys has less protection against ultraviolet sun rays, which means these animals can get sunburned easier, and their risk of getting ill with skin cancer is greater.
For monkeys – and other animal species – being white also means stronger exposure to predators which can easily notice extremely bright appearance.
In rarer cases, albinism may be related to hearing impairments.
Are there albino humans?
Yes, albinism exists in humans, too. In fact, this genetic condition is more frequent in the human population than among animals.
The variety of species with albinism is huge – the absence of melanin can occur in mice, crocodiles, birds, fish, and even plants.
Why are albino monkeys born with this condition?
Nobody knows the exact cause of albinism in monkeys, and in other species, too. However, there are, however, two main theories explaining the possible cause of albinism.
The first likely cause is genetics. If two monkeys – male and female – have the same recessive gene for albinism (i.e. they are gene carriers, but are not albino themselves), their offspring is likely to be albino. The probability of passing this gene to offspring is even higher if one of the parents has albinism.
The second likely cause is related to extreme environmental stress. For example, if a monkey experiences extreme changes in ambient temperature, severely lacks food, or is exposed to other stress-inducing factors, it can develop albinism. Age, disease, or injury are also potential reasons for developing this condition.