Claude (alligator)
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Short description|Albino alligator at the California Academy of Sciences}}
{{Infobox animal
| name = Claude
| image = Albino Alligator 2008.jpg
| caption = Claude in 2008 in his swamp at the California Academy of Sciences
| species = Alligator mississippiensis
| gender = Male
| hatch_date = {{birth date and age|1995|9|15}}
| known =
| owner = California Academy of Sciences
| weight = {{convert|222|lb|kg}}
}}
Claude (hatched September 15, 1995) is an albino alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, United States. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, resulting in colorless skin, and he has poor eyesight associated with his albinism.
Background
Claude was hatched on September 15, 1995, in Florida, weighing {{convert|2|oz|g}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Albino-alligator-Claude-to-mark-15th-birthday-3253032.php | title=Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday | website=SFGate | date=September 14, 2010 | accessdate=August 8, 2015 | author=Guthrie, Julian}} He was in danger in the wilderness owing to albinism, which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. He was initially raised at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida.
Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/gators-head-for-swampy-s-f-home-3198865.php|date=2008-08-20|title=Gators head for swampy S.F. home|website=SFGate}} Claude was originally housed with a non-albino female alligator named Bonnie. In January 2009, Bonnie bit one of Claude's right fingers. The finger developed an infection and needed to be amputated.{{cite web |last=Perlman |first=David |date=2009-03-27 |title=Albino gator, minus a toe, returns to exhibit |website=SFGate |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/albino-gator-minus-a-toe-returns-to-exhibit-3247030.php}}{{cite web | url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Tough-times-for-koi-continue-as-S-F-aquarium-6071694.php | title=Tough times for koi continue as S.F. aquarium looks to sever ties | publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | date=February 9, 2015 | accessdate=August 8, 2015 | author=Rubenstein, Steve}} Bonnie was subsequently moved back to Florida.
Claude weighed {{convert|222|lb|kg}} and was {{convert|9|ft|5|in|m}} long as of 2013.{{cite web |last=Miguel |first=Ken | url=http://abc7news.com/archive/9134317/ | title=Famous gator gets a check-up | date=June 10, 2013 | accessdate=August 8, 2015 | website=ABC7 News}} He has 76 teeth. He appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin.{{cite web|title=The Swamp|url=http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/the-swamp|website=California Academy of Sciences|accessdate=August 7, 2015}} He also has poor eyesight due to his albinism.
References
{{commons category|Claude (albino alligator)|Claude (alligator)}}
{{reflist}}
Category:Individual albino animals
Category:Individual alligators