Claude (alligator)

Claude (hatched September 15, 1995) is an albino alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, United States. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, resulting in colorless skin, and he has poor eyesight associated with his albinism.

Claude

Claude in 2008 in his swamp at the California Academy of Sciences
Species	Alligator mississippiensis
Sex	Male
Hatched	(1995-09-15) September 15, 1995 (age 29)
Owner	California Academy of Sciences
Weight	222 lb (101 kg)

Background

Claude was hatched on September 15, 1995, in Florida, weighing 2 ounces (57 g).^[1] He was in danger in the wilderness owing to albinism, which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. He was initially raised at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida.^[2]

Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008.^[1][3] Claude was originally housed with a non-albino female alligator named Bonnie. In January 2009, Bonnie bit one of Claude's right fingers. The finger developed an infection and needed to be amputated.^[2][4] Bonnie was subsequently moved back to Florida.^[1]

Claude weighed 222 pounds (101 kg) and was 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m) long as of 2013.^[5] He has 76 teeth.^[1] He appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin.^[6] He also has poor eyesight due to his albinism.^[1]