11:24 PM Zoe the white Zebra – what an exquisite golden animal |
Zoe lives in Hawaii at the Three Ring Ranch. She is not an albino but does in fact have a condition called amelanosis. This is the lack of colour pigments; these are referred to as melanin. The stripes are golden and Zoe’s body is white. Her eyes are blue and have poor vision. The condition means she is susceptible to kidney problems and skin cancer. The ranch makes sure her diet is adapted and that Zoe is monitored for cancer regularly. Three Ring Ranch is a five-acre non-profit sanctuary. It is run by volunteers and is the perfect home for exotic animals. Zoe would not be able to live in the wild, as her camouflage would expose her to predators. A Zebra with normal black and white markings confuses its natural predator when in a herd. The lion is colour blind and sees a herd as moving stripes, making it difficult to single out an individual. This would not be the case with Zoe as she would not blend in. Thanks to the ranch she is safe.  Zoe has a sister called Tootsie and, by what I have read, they seem to get on well. Experts believe a mother and foal recognize each other via the pattern of their stripes. This is complex behavior that would break down for Zoe as those patterns would not be interpreted correctly. Zoe’s mother would not let her get near her sister and, thanks to sight segregation from experts at the ranch; Zoe and Tootsie are close now. Zoe is unique as she is the only Golden Zebra in captivity. She really is one of a kind, a gorgeous quirk of nature.  |
|
|
| Total comments: 0 | |