THAT'S NUTS
‘One-in-a-million’ white albino squirrel spotted scurrying around Edinburgh city centre
The condition, which is caused by genetic condition which reduces melanin, affects around one in a million grey squirrels
A RARE “one-in-a-million” white albino squirrel was spotted scurrying around Edinburgh city centre on Wednesday.
Footage captured by passer-by Carl Hurst shows the squirrel scaling a massive fence in the Gorgie area of Scotland’s capital.
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The condition, which is caused by genetic condition which reduces melanin, affects around one in a million grey squirrels.
Carl captioned the post: “Had no idea they existed but spotted a white squirrel at work in Edinburgh today.
“Scared it off the closer I got. It had red eyes and apparently albino ones have red eyes.”
The short clip shows the small animal scurrying along the ground near Gorgie Road on the west side of the city.
It can then be seen sniffing around leaves and appears to stand up and look directly at Carl filming with his camera.
After staring into the lens, the squirrel then darts up a tall grey fence.
It climbs just over three quarters the height of the fence and stops at branch that is poking through from a tree on the other side.
The squirrel then appears to lie out on the branch just before the video ends.
Carl’s clip has attracted multiple comments from many animal lovers.
One admirer said: “There used to be one that lived in the trees at Edinburgh zoo and would steal porcupine’s food.”
Another said: “Never seen an Albino style squirrel before!”
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Speaking today, Carl said he couldn’t believe his luck and hopes to have a better camera on him if he spots it again.
He said: “I was surprised; I never knew there was such a thing.
“Apparently one has been spotted there a few times so hopefully I’ll get a better picture in the future.”
Albino squirrels are believed to have sight and hearing problem, making life in the wild very difficult for them.
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