Albino Tigers

  Albino Tigers - Page 1: Introduction To Albinism | 2&3: Albino Tigers



 An alternative definition of albino tigers:

It has been suggested that white tigers upon which the striping cannot be seen at all angles of reflection should be considered albinos. These are loosely called ghost stripes. Some of the tigers on these pages would then qualify as albinos, despite their other evidence of pigmentation.

Assuming we accept this definition of albino, then we can also add the following occurrences of albino tigers to those already discussed:

    • Eighteenth century naturalist Baron Georges Cuvier described one such animal. Little more is known about it.
    • In the 1820s, another tiger fitting this description was placed on display in London. It is depicted above and was described as "creamy white, with the ordinary tigerine stripes so faintly marked that they were only visible in certain lights."
    • A "wholly white tiger, with the stripe-pattern visible only under reflected light, like the pattern of a white tabby cat", was placed on display in the Execter Change Menagerie in the early part of the nineteenth century.

    The only wild report to be documented was of a "tiger without stripes" at Similpal Tiger Reserve. Similpal is better-known for its persisting reports of melanistic tigers. 

    As far as the albino tiger goes, until photographic proof, or a pelt, is found it is likely the majority of experts will remain highly skeptical. But because albinism is a genetic issue there is no reason it could not occur, or be bred for, within the tiger.
     


 Albino Tigers - Page 1: Introduction To Albinism | 2&3: Albino Tigers

History of the White Tiger | White Tigers | Albinos | Golden Tabbies | Black Tigers | Maltese (Blue) |
Red, Brown & Orange Tigers | White Lions

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Photography With Thanks To Hans Stenström
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