Jose Blanco The White Alligator From New Orleans At The Florida Aquarium

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"Jose Blanco" The White Alligator From New Orleans

17 years old - 10 feet long - born 1987 - On Loan From New Orleans Audubon Zoo

© Photo By: Tim McGuinness

17 years old - 10 feet long - born 1987

© Photo By: Tim McGuinness

Jose Sunning Himself - Jose Is On Loan - Returned To New Orleans After Easter 2006

© Photo By: Tim McGuinness

Jose Blanco - The White "Leucistic" Gator

© Photo By: Tim McGuinness

Jose Taking An Afternoon Snooze

© Photo By: Website Visitor

That the alligators at the
Florida Aquarium
get their teeth brushed?

The photos at right are Jose Blanco getting a bacteria scrape

How Do You Brush An Alligator's Teeth? VERY CAREFULLY!

© Photo By: Florida Aquarium - Seanopsis

Wetlands Staff Members give our guest a teeth cleaning, which is actually a bacteria scrape.

© Photo By: Florida Aquarium - Seanopsis

Other Leucistic Animals

© Photo By: Tim McGuinness

The white skin, smoky blue-eyed reptile visiting the Florida Aquarium is one of 19 rare white alligators found in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. These blue-eyed "blondes" of the alligator world are not albinos, but leucistic. It is a genetic disorder consisting of two recessive genes. They lack the melanin pigment, but still retain some color pigment (note the two black freckles and the blue eyes). Odds are about 1 in 10,000. An easy way to think of it is a normal gator with one big black spot. This is the reason they are so rare. A white animal has no way of camouflaging itself so it gets preyed on quicker. Also these animals can sunburn, get cut, or bruised very easily.

These rare and unique reptiles are owned and cared for by the Audubon Institute in New Orleans and are on exhibit at the Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas. They have been featured in exhibits at numerous zoos and aquarium around the country. One has even traveled to Japan.

They are the only ones known to exist in the world. This is the first time Jose Blanco has been on exhibit, Which may explain some of his behavior, not used to crowds or the exhibit. Jose is 9ft 4in, weighs 261 lbs. He eats 2 pounds of food twice a week. His diet consist of beef, horse meat, rats, or nutria.

Legend has it that by looking into his blue eyes brings good luck.

17 years old - 10 feet long - born 1987

How Do You Brush An Alligator's Teeth? VERY CAREFULLY!

Gator Girl Kyra Shows Alligator Skull

A Volunteer Doing Q&A

Gators

Thanks To Our Contributors On This Page: Tim McGuinness • Florida Aquarium • Website Visitors


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