Animal Diaries Archive

Our Leucistic Crocodiles

2 July 2004

Australia Zoo is lucky enough to be home to two leucistic Saltwater Crocodiles. Being leucistic basically means these guys have a dramatic reduction in dark skin pigment. The first of these beautiful crocodiles is Wendy. Wendy is only four years old and about one metre in length. Being small doesn't stop Wendy protecting her enclosure ferociously though. Wendy is one of the most beautiful crocodiles you will ever see. She is an awesome ivory white colour.

Our second leucistic salty is Casper and I tell you what, this bloke is one of the most aggressive crocodiles we have ever seen. He is a custard yellow colour and blends in with his clear water pond amazingly, which helps him to strike from depths basically unseen.

Australia Zoo is very honoured to have these two impressive crocs. Not too many leucistic crocodiles actually live to adulthood in the wild, as their pale colouration results in them standing out to predators when they are young. On top of this it is estimated that only 1 out of 10 000 crocodiles are hatched leucistic, giving Casper and Wendy a very special place at Australia Zoo.