A father captured an extraordinary series of photos featuring a rare albino squirrel outside his home. Richard Waugh, 51, was thrilled when he spotted the striking white squirrel darting around outside his flat in Edinburgh. The rare creature, which he has named Lexy, has become a regular visitor to his garden.
A Rare Sight
Richard, a software developer, says he sees the exceptionally rare squirrel a couple of times a week and occasionally scatters nuts for her. Albino squirrels are incredibly rare, with the condition affecting approximately one in a million grey squirrels. It is estimated that only about 50 such squirrels exist in the UK. Their unique white fur is due to a lack of melanin, which also causes their eyes to appear red or pink.
The odds of a squirrel being born albino are around one in 100,000. Richard managed to snap some photos of Lexy rummaging through leaves on Saturday, and he says she often seems to pose for the camera.
“I was on my way to the shops when I saw her running around. Luckily, I had my camera with me. She seemed to be in a great mood and posed for a few pictures,” Richard said.
A Familiar Visitor
Lexy has been spotted in the area for about four years. Richard considers himself lucky to see her frequently.
“I usually see her a couple of times a week, although she sometimes disappears for a few weeks at a time. It’s always exciting when she returns,” he said.
While he doesn’t feed her regularly, Richard sometimes tosses a few nuts onto the grass or trees when he sees her from his window.
“She’s quite cheeky. Sometimes she just grabs a nut and dashes off, giving a few playful glances back from the trees. Other times, it’s like she’s posing for the camera,” he added.
Despite her rarity, Lexy seems to get along well with other wildlife in the area. Richard notes that she is fast on her feet and holds her own when facing aggressive behavior from other animals.
Why Are Albino Squirrels So Rare?
Albino squirrels, which occur in just one out of every 100,000 grey squirrel births, have a genetic condition called albinism. This condition reduces the amount of melanin in the body, resulting in white fur and red or pink eyes. Unfortunately, albinism presents several survival challenges for squirrels in the wild.
- Lack of Camouflage – Unlike their grey counterparts, albino squirrels struggle to blend into their natural surroundings, making them more visible to predators.
- Poor Eyesight – Albinism affects eye development, often leading to vision problems such as poor depth perception and difficulty focusing.
These challenges make survival difficult for albino squirrels, contributing to their rarity.
Albino Squirrels vs. White Squirrels
While albino squirrels are rare, the even rarer white squirrel is often mistaken for them. White squirrels have a genetic mutation called leucism, which causes their fur to turn white while their eyes remain black. Unlike albino squirrels, white squirrels do not suffer from vision problems.
Britain is home to approximately five million grey squirrels, but experts believe that fewer than one in a million have leucism.
Lexy’s presence in Edinburgh is truly remarkable, and thanks to Richard’s photography, people can appreciate the beauty of one of the UK’s rarest squirrels.
