Extremely rare white alligator born in Florida; only 8 in the world, Gatorland says

02:16

Rare white gator born in Florida

Gatorland is now home to an extremely rare leucistic white alligator – one of just eight in the entire world, the park announced Thursday. FOX Orlando reports.

ORLANDO, Fla. - It's a White Christmas at Gatorland this year – but not because it's going to snow. 

Gatorland is now home to an extremely rare leucistic white alligator – one of just eight in the entire world, the park announced Thursday. It's also the first-ever alligator of its kind to be born in human care and makes Gatorland the owner of the largest collection of rare leucistic alligators in the world.

EXTREMELY RARE WHITE KANGAROOS SPOTTED AT AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

"Oh boy, we have some exciting news here at Gatorland," said Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. "For the first time since a nest of leucistic alligators was discovered in the swamps of Louisiana 36 years ago, we have the first birth of a solid white alligator ever recorded from those original alligators. This is beyond ‘rare,’ it is absolutely extraordinary!"

The new baby girl and her normal-colored brother were born to parents Jeyan and Ashley, Gatorland said. They weigh 96 grams and are just under 100 cm long. At their recent health check-up, the Gatorland vet gave them both an A+ as they continue to eat bite-size pieces of raw chicken and other nutritional supplements. 

Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation of the American alligator, Gatorland said. They're not to be confused with albino alligators, however, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment. Leucistic gators have blue eyes instead. 

HUNTERS FIND LARGEST ALLIGATOR IN MISSISSIPPI HISTORY LURKING IN RIVER

"Leucism in alligators causes white coloration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal coloration on their skin," according to Gatorland. "Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can’t have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily."

Gatorland said they plan to display the two new baby gators early in 2024 for guests to see. For now, though, they'll be kept safe under vet care so their health and growth can be closely monitored.

SEE THE MASSIVE ALLIGATOR FOUND LURKING IN A SOUTH FLORIDA SWAMP

The fun doesn't end there, though. Gatorland needs your help to help name its new white leucistic alligator and her brother – and you can do that by commenting on their social media accounts on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. 

It's the same system Gatorland put in place for one of its newest additions, a jaw-less gator that found a new home at the park after going viral for missing half of its mouth. Gatorland lovers on social media decided to name her Jawlene, inspired by Dolly Parton's hit song, "Jolene."