Leucistic Squirrel

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.

​Matthew 5:36 Don't even swear, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.

Friday, 5:23 PM - Passing through Watkinsville on my way home from work, just across from the Jittery Joe’s coffee shop, I saw this Eastern Gray Squirrel. He was just hopping along like nothing special. But I immediately took note of his color. He was much more blonde looking than they typical Eastern Gray Squirrels. Therefore, being a possible leucistic squirrel, it was worth a photograph!
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Leucism is defined as a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes. It differs from albinism in which there is no dark pigment at all, the animal appears pure white, and even the eyes appear red. Leucisitic animals may have some dark pigments and the eyes are the normal color. 

I don't know if this little one was a true leucistic, but definitely appears more blonde than the typical Eastern Gray Squirrel. Comparing photographs, it is obvious that he is missing the black hairs on the tail and head. 

Oconee County, Georgia USA
Today: Cloudy, with a high near 50. Showers likely with patchy drizzle before 4pm, then patchy drizzle with a chance of showers after 4pm.
Sunrise Today:7:47 am; Sunset Today: 6:46 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 59 minutes (-1m 55s)
Moon: 94% Waning Gibbous

Typically colored Eastern Gray Squirrel. Walton County, GA. October 5, 2018.