Cute Albino Animals

No matter how powerful God seems to be, he sometimes just runs out of paint (melanin), and every time this happens an albino animal is born.

Albinism (from Latin albus, “white) is a form of hypopigmentary congenital disorder, characterized by a partial lack or total absence of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair, or more rarely in the eyes alone. Due to this, animals (and humans too) are unusually pale. The eyes of an animal with albinism occasionally appear red because of the underlying retinal blood vessels showing through where there is not enough pigment to cover them.

Albino animals are rare in nature, and a man always had a fascination for these creatures since ancient times. Some cultures considered albinos as sacred animals,while others – as demoniac ones.

Asian short claw otters

A pair of extremely rare white otter cubs have been born at the Blue Planet Aquarium in the UK. The duo are part of a litter of three baby Asian short claw otters born at the aquarium at the end of March.

Their siblings are a coffee brown, but these baby otters were born a snowy white.

 Albino kangaroo

Above, an albino baby kangaroo and its mother in a park in Denmark – the baby, whose sex is still unknown, has been outside of its mothers pouch for about two weeks.

the baby Bennett kangaroo sits in the grass of its enclosure. Park owners said that albino kangaroos account for 1 of every 10,000 kangaroo births.

Albino Alligator

A tiny albino alligator rests inside its artificial habitat at 'Sao Paulo Aquarium', in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

One of the rarest Alligators is White Alligators. They belong to the family Alligatoridae and are restricted to the areas of Southeastern United States. Their scientific name is Alligator Mississippiensis.

Albino Bison

In this photo provided by the National Buffalo Museum, a second white bison calf has been born in a herd on the edge of Jamestown, N.D.

Albino Bat

One of the rarest bats in the world, a completely white (albino) micro bat, nestles on the thumb of carer Pam Tully while recovering from a cat attack at the Batreach Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Kuranda, near Cairns in northern Australia.

 Albino Barking Deer

Mok, a three-week old albino barking deer, leads his unnamed mother in their enclosure during a news conference introducing a new member of the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, Thailand.

Albino Dolphin

This image released by Dolphin Safari.com shows an albino dolphin off Dana Point, Calif.

Hedgehog

Zoo keeper Mike Kirschner shows a newborn albino hedgehog at the Duisburg Zoo, Germany. This very rare hedgehog named "Meckie White" was born four weeks ago and was handed over by citizens who picked him up near their house. Hedgehogs are usually nocturnal and hibernate.

Albino gorilla

Copo de Niebe (Snowflake), the only albino gorilla in the Barcelona zoo, Spain.

Snowflake was an albino Western Lowland Gorilla, and the most popular resident of the Barcelona Zoo in Spain, where he spent most of his life. He was known worldwide, mentioned in tourist guides and put on postcards, becoming the unofficial mascot for the city.

Albino Great Horned Owl

An albino Great Horned Owl, the only one known to exist, according to the World Bird Sanctuary.

Albino Vervet Monkey

A rare albino Vervet monkey is seen in Livingstone, Zambia, 26 September 2006. The monkey spends a lot of time alone unlike regular Vervet monkeys. Vervet monkeys usually have black faces surrounded by white fur.

Albino Koala

Ten-month-old Onya-Birri, the only albino koala in captivity with his mother, Banjeeri, at the San Diego Zoo.

Albino Rat

Kada, an albino female rat trained by Alison Smith of Lincoln, Neb, struggles to stay on the rope as it competes in the tight rope event at the Xtreme Rat Challange competition at the Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb.

Albino Burmese Python

Joaney Gallagher Director of the Rain Forest Reptile Shows and Don Goff Assistant Director and Curator of the Beardsley Zoo hold an 8- foot albino Burmese python.

white lion

Three white lion cubs are fed in a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock July 14, 2008. Both of the park's two rare white lionesses gave birth simultaneously to seven cubs on June 30.Three of the cubs are being hand-fed after their mother rejected them.

Albino turtles

Picture of two albino turtles born at the Biological Reserve of Abufari, Brazil. Around 300.000 turtles, including to albino, were born at the ICMBio in the last two months and will have to live in captivity for at least a year before their release in the Amazon basin. 

Albino Squirrel
Known as the “White Squirrel Capital of the World,” Olney, Illinois, is home of the world’s largest known albino squirrel colony. Kenton, Tennessee is home to about 200 albino squirrels. There are also albino squirrels on the main campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Brevard, North Carolina and Marionville, Missouri have a substantial population of white (not albino) squirrels.

Albino squirrel nicknamed Snowy scavenges for nuts in a garden in England.

 

Western Kentucky University has a locally famous population of white squirrels. Exeter, Ontario in Canada is known for having non-albino white squirrels, believed to be the result of a genetic mutation in the early 20th century. The Snow Belt in Western and Central New York (Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse) also has a significant white squirrel population

The Albino Squirrel Preservation Society was founded at the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, and its sister chapter at University of North Texas (UNT) petitioned for an election to name their albino squirrel as the university’s secondary mascot. The University of Louisville in Kentucky also has a documented population of albino squirrels.

Albino Snakes

Reptile supervisor Premasiri Peiris observes two rare two-week old Sri Lankan albino cobras at the National Zoological Gardens in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Another List of Crazy Body Modifications

Many of us have piercing in the ears and probably quite a number of us have piercing in other less common parts of the body, but there are some people who have outright bizarre piercing and other body modifications.Here is another collection of crazy body modification pictures contributed by my friend Vania. 

10 Amazing and Weird Uses of Vodka

 Vodka has been enjoyed since at least the early Middle Ages, and is well known as one of the world’s most popular spirits. Its versatility in mixing and high alcohol content have made it extremely popular in cocktails, and it is still widely enjoyed ‘neat’ (straight up) in much of Eastern and Northern Europe.

Why Not Just Drink It?

Vodka also has a long history of use as medicine, having been sold by druggists to cure everything from infertility to colic and the plague. While some of those historic promoters were half-cocked, it’s true that vodka has a wide range of potential uses beyond serving as a relaxer and social lubricant.
Why would you want to do anything else with vodka but drink it? It is widely available, effective and less toxic than many of the chemical alternatives you might use for these tasks.

Treat Poison Ivy

For many, one of the hazards of enjoying the great outdoors is an encounter with poison ivy, oak or sumac. It can lead to a nasty, long-lasting rash. Unfortunately, the poison ivy is spreading thanks to global warming.
To avoid the uncomfortable reaction, immediately pour vodka on skin that has come into contact with poison ivy, and the alcohol will wash away the itchy culprit, urushiol oil. Some have said that the vodka needs to be at least 100 proof to work.
Others have argued that straight rubbing alcohol works better, but we’re guessing you may not have that as handy if you are on your average picnic.

Freshen Laundry

The only people I know who like doing laundry have OCD. If you find the task calming, that’s great. But the rest of us would prefer to wear clothes as much as possible without having to count quarters or lug baskets up and down stairs.
You can keep your clothes smelling fresher with vodka — really! Simply spritz your duds with the stuff, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area. (Do a spot-test first to be safe.) Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn’t leave a scent when dry.

Shine Your Fixtures

It’s easy to get your chrome, glass and porcelain fixtures shining like the top of the Chrysler Building. Guess what does the trick?
Moisten a soft, clean cloth with vodka, then apply a little elbow grease.

Preserve Flowers

If vodka can help you find love, then it can also help you preserve it — or at least the symbols of it.
Add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your flower vase. It should help keep your flowers fresh longer. Change out the mixture with fresh ingredients daily.

Repel Insects

Unless you are intent on proving how hard-core you are, or you have a bizarre fetish, you probably don’t enjoy getting feasted on by insects. But you’ve read media reports questioning the safety of DEET-based repellents, and you are pretty sure you don’t want to take the risk of spraying yourself in the face with poisonous bug killers.
Who knew that vodka can kill pesky insects, as well as nagging doubts at the bar? Pour a little of the saucy spirit in a spray bottle and squirt on the little buggers, or yourself as a repellent. But please don’t take aim at any beneficial bees!

Soothe Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish are fascinating, beautiful sea creatures. But their stingers can pack a powerful, painful punch.
For vegetarians and others who don’t travel with meat tenderizer (or who don’t feel comfortable asking friends to, um, relieve the pain), take heart. Vodka can also disinfect and alleviate some of the bite of a jellyfish sting.

Get Great, Shiny Hair
 

Vodka doesn’t just make you think people look prettier. It actually can make people prettier. How?
Try this remedy for healthier, lush hair: Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo.
Tell Billy Madison that vodka is better than both shampoo and conditioner.

Clean Away Mold

 

Got mold? The stuff spreads easily and can severely diminish indoor air quality. Unless you are shacking up with the Crypt Keeper, who wants to look at those grimy dark stains that build up on caulking (sometimes even on mold-resistant varieties)?
But instead of harsh chemical sprays, try filling a recycled spray bottle with some bottom-shelf vodka. Spritz on, then let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub away with an old toothbrush (please don’t use your sister’s).

Make a Soothing Lavender Tincture

Do you find the scent of lavender soothing? Did you know that herbalists have used it for generations to naturally ease aches and pains? Here’s a fun DIY tip:
Fill a clean glass jar with fresh lavender flowers, then top off with vodka. Seal the lid tightly and place in the sun for three days (same idea as making sun tea!). Strain the resulting liquid through a coffee filter, and poof! You have a homemade tincture to rub into aches and pains. You can pour into smaller bottles, decorate them and give them as unique gifts.

Ease a Toothache

Got a toothache? Your first priority should be to see a dentist. But sometimes you can’t get an appointment right away, or the professionals tell you it will just have to heal on its own.
In that case, try swishing a shot of vodka over the affected area. It can help disinfect, and should numb some of the pain in your gums. Just beware that your honey may accuse you of smelling like a saloon.