"He's very happy as you can see," Cal Academy of Sciences Communications Director Jeanette Peach said. "So, we don't know the lifespan for an alligator with albinism. We don't know if it's different from a regular alligator. But, we're finding out. so, he's maybe middle aged today. It's a milestone regardless."
Claude isn't your average alligator. He's bright white, nearly blind and has regrown thousands of teeth. Claude is believed to be one of the oldest albino alligators in human care. In the wild, he likely wouldn't have survived past infancy - his bright white skin makes camouflage impossible and leaves him vulnerable to predators. At the Academy, though, Claude may live another three decades.
A San Francisco-wide scavenger hunt with the prize of a plushie in the shape of him. You can pick up a new library card with his image. A glamorous swamp soiree will take place in his honor, featuring dinner made by "Top Chef" alum Melissa King followed by dancing on Wed/10. A second children's book about him is coming out.
"I thought, 'What if we could expand the use of iNaturalist across the whole state and have people that are paying attention everywhere,'" said Rebecca Johnson, highlighting the initiative's intent to engage wider communities.