Albino Raccoon Sighting Surprisingly in Texas

Spotting an albino raccoon is rare; only 1 in 10,000-20,000 are born with albinism. Albino animals are easily targeted by predators and poachers due to their distinctive appearance.

"You have better odds of being struck by lightning than seeing an Albino raccoon." KBTX-TV anchor Rusty Surette

Photos of an albino raccoon rummaging through trash near a car dealership in College Station, Texas, were captured by Rodolfo Garza and shared by Surette.

What is Albinism?

Albinism is a genetic condition that affects pigment production in animals and humans. It results in distinctive all-white features due to partial or complete loss of pigmentation. According to National Geographic, it "occurs when an individual inherits mutated genes from both parents, interfering with melanin production, the main pigment determining skin, fur, and eye color."

Albinism makes survival challenging, as affected animals often have poor eyesight, struggle to find food, and have difficulty mating. They are also easily spotted by predators due to their inability to camouflage.

More Rare Albino Sightings:

• White bison calf born at Yellowstone
• White moose in Alberta, Canada