Animal Diaries Archive

Leucism

22 July 2005

We have a very special new addition to our Macropod family - a joey named Ivory. Ivory is an Eastern Grey Kangaroo who is approximately seven months old and, as you can see, not all that grey! The reason for this is that Ivory has a condition known as Leucism.

Leucism occurs due to a recessive gene found in some animals that stops them from producing certain pigmentation in either their fur or skin. This condition can be found in most animal species but is extremely rare, with only one in every 10,000 animals being leucistic. Australia Zoo is lucky enough to have three more leucistic animals: a Red Kangaroo named Hannah, a Saltwater Crocodile named Casper and a Burmese Python named Jenny.

Little Ivory will be leaving her Mum's pouch in about two to four weeks to start life on her own... although she may need some sunscreen every once in a while!