Rare Albino Twin Groundhogs - Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

STAUNTON, Va. - May 28, 2022 - PRLog -- We recently purchased a farm in Virginia and had heard of all the wildlife that would visit the farm.  Then there are those mythical creatures you only hear about, the albinos.  White foxes, white deer, white squirrels, white groundhogs.

Walking onto the property and coming across 2 albino baby groundhogs, it was as if a myth materialized in front of our eyes.

What is albinism?  How rare is the condition?  While reading an article I found this information to be helpful!

"In North America, approximately 300 species of animals have some instances of albinism, a genetic condition that results in a lack of pigment. While the condition is more common in birds, with some research showing albinism appears once in about every 1,800 birds, it's more rare in mammals where researchers estimate it occurs only about once in every 10,000 births.

"Albinism may not effect survivorship or reproductive success at all or it could be very problematic depending on the species," said Dave Robson, the Forest Preserve District's natural resource management supervisor. "For animals that rely on their coloration pattern to provide camouflage from predators, small mammals for example, being white makes them stand out and easily spotted."

For the albino groundhog, the condition may not necessarily mean it will meet an early death from one of its predators such as a hawk or coyote. One of the key defense mechanisms for a groundhog is staying near their burrow. They also can run fast — up to 10 mph — for short distances.

"Perhaps the biggest challenge albinism might impose on an animal is poor eyesight, a crucial sense for most," Robson said. "Albinism is known to often result in poor eyesight which obviously places that animal at a disadvantage."

Information and Quote taken from www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/extremely-rare-albino-woodchuck-spotted-at-lockpor/

It is a rare experience to see anything albino let alone two at the same time.  These twins were having so much fun playing and eating together.  It was fun to experience them in their habitat.

Here is a quick clip of these two in action!  Have you seen an albino groundhog?  If so, please let us know when and where in the comments on the video.

https://youtu.be/4RRihvISER0