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Mystic, Gatorland's rare leucstic alligator (right, with brother Mayhem) is now two months old and will have a home in a special exhibit area in its White Gator Swamp. PHOTO/GATORLAND -
Mystic, Gatorland's rare leucstic alligator (left, with albino gator Jellybean) is now two months old and will have a home in a special exhibit area in its White Gator Swamp. PHOTO/GATORLAND
Gatorland announced Friday the names of a pair of alligators born back in December, including an extremely rare leucistic white alligator, which the park calls, “The rarest genetic variation in the American alligator.”
After a naming contest, the park has officially named the leucistic baby alligator "Mystic", and her normal-colored brother is "Mayhem." The names were chosen from hundreds of ideas submitted via Gatorland’s social media channels.
“We have received such an overwhelming response when these babies were born and again when we asked the public to help name them,” exclaimed Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “We just love Mystic and Mayhem and know the public will, too. We can’t wait to introduce them to all our guests in the Spring when they will be in a special exhibit area in our White Gator Swamp.”
Born to parents Jeyan and Ashley, the now two-month old Mystic and Mayhem continue to get healthy check-ups from Gatorland’s veterinarian staff. They eat bite-size pieces of raw chicken and tiny Croc Chow pellets made to supplement nutrition.
McHugh billed the birth of the rare leucistic white alligator, the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator, "Beyond rare, it is absolutely extraordinary!” when she was born.
So what makes them so rare? Leucism in alligators causes white coloration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal coloration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can’t have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily. Leucistic alligators have blue eyes compared to the pink eyes of an albino alligator.
