And why the white squirrel you spotted is probably not albino
It may not be a surprise, but a true albino squirrel is significantly rarer than the white squirrel, according to squirrelgazer.com, which reports that 20-30% of the white squirrels in North America are albino. Most reports state that only about 1 in 100,000 squirrels are albino. So how can you tell the difference? A true albino has a lack of pigment due to a deficiency in the production of melanin. The best way to tell an albino squirrel from a white squirrel is in the eye color. Albinos will have red eyes or pink eyes while white squirrels will have dark eyes.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Where can albino squirrels be found?
Albino squirrels could be anywhere. Like a blue lobster, it’s just the luck of the genetic draw. However, white squirrels are only found in a few places. And one of the most common places is in Brevard, North Carolina, not too far from Asheville.
Why there are so many white squirrels in North Carolina
This story begins with a pair of men who reportedly captured two white squirrels that recently escaped from a crashed carnival caravan. Long story short, the squirrels were put in a cage in hopes they would breed. However, no white version of the Eastern Grey Squirrel babies appeared. And eventually, the squirrels escaped and people started reporting rare white squirrel sightings.
Brevard’s white squirrels – who each had a gray patch on their head and a dorsal stripe – started becoming famous. Over the years, it was determined that the Brevard White Squirrel was a white version of the Eastern Grey Squirrel with a genetic anomaly or a genetic mutation. These types of white squirrels have thrived over the years and the population of white squirrels has expanded 50 miles out from Brevard. According to the city’s website, the population of white squirrels is also protected. Brevard, North Carolina is now known as the home of the white squirrel.
Have you ever spotted a white squirrel? Let me know in the comments!
Have a question or comment about something in this article? Contact our staff here. You may also contact our editorial team at info@thesmokies.com.
All thru Richmond Hill near Furman University.We see them almost daily.
I live in SC. There is a family of white squirrels that live up the road from me. We have stopped and fed them. They are so cute. The first time I seen them I had to stop and look to make sure that is what I seen. So I knew I wasn’t crazy.Then I showed my family.
I was in Wahington DC last week and on the park area between the capital and the Washington monument, I spotted several albino squirrels. Red eyes and all. I took a few pics. Fun to see them.
Watching one right now in Plymouth Mn.
We have been blessed with one in our yard that we named Vanilla Bean. It comes when i call it, mostly because I always give it peanuts and shower it with loving adoration.
Wish I could attach a picture. I have quite the collection 😍
We have an ablino squirrel here in Blaine Mn this year. And a white squirrel with black on their back and red fur around its eye. I call him a ‘pinto’ squirrel because he reminds me of a pinto horse. We had had these types frequently each years. I have pics for this year and past years.
Just sighted an albino squirrel in West Salem Oregon. I think it is from a mixed litter because it is small yet and seems to have 2 same size grey siblings . It is feeding daily at my home. It is not a true white, but rather off white with hints of light tan in the fur. Its eyes are red tinted.
11/7/22 Crystal, MN (suburb of Minneapolis) Saw an albino/white squirrel in neighbors yard. Never have I seen one. Awesome sight!
Ii have both a white squirrel (no black stripe but black eyes) and a black squirrel, both in my condo complex in CT.
Saw one today in Jax, FL. Pinkish, red eyes!
Spotted a white albino squirrel today crossing the road in the town of whitbourne nl. To quick for me to get a picture but did enjoy seeing it for it was the first of my 71 years
It took 44 years. Upper peninsula of Michigan. I have 3 huge maples. He found his or her way here. I have ³ videos and a super cute picture where it is peeking down from a safe height. I posted him on my Facebook Donovan Bergman. Come show some 😍 ♥ love.
Spotted a white squirrel in Des Moines ! Is that normal ? 01/13/2023
2-1-2023 We just saw a white squirrel on the East side of Pensacola, Florida! We got fuzzy phone pics only. Unfortunately, can’t tell what color his/her eyes are. Very cool. 🤍🐿
Spotted one twice in Jacksonville, FL. The same squirrel in the same area on my commute home from work. Only took 50 years to see one.
I have an white albino squirrel with pink eyes I live in Upper Michigan
I just spotted an albino squirrel here in Cincinnati, Ohio, on my street. I was driving, so I could not get to the phone in my purse. I walked down there later but didn’t find it. My luck has been off the charts this week. Maybe “Pinky” had something to do with it.
Saw one at the back feeder around the 5Jun and maybe the 7th just north of Cincinnati, OH early in the morning so had difficulty getting a clear picture with my 300mm lens. Don’t know if an albino.
Just saw one in front of the Baptist Hosp in Foley, Alabama.
We have one in our back yard in State College, PA.
Pink eyes and all.
It is so fun to watch this little one.
We also enjoyed watching an albino squirrel (red eyes) on the Mall in Washington DC.
I saw a white squirrel this morning at Spenser Lake in Waupaca, WI
Bloomington MN – lots of them. Many black ones too. Since mid eighties I’ve spotted hundreds. Squirrels breed like fruit flies and if you have power lines and trees in your backyard, it’s like a major squirrel freeway. Any given day I can count a dozen squirrels of all colors. They are yard rats, pests, and chew on everything.