Is it really right to call white lions rare?

Question

Whenever cubs are born there are stories in the media as they are so rare and 'vulnerable,' in the wild, and it gives the impression that people are breeding them to conserve them, but are they really anything special? Are they a different species or just an African lion that has a mutant gene? If they're just a naturally occuring mutant then there's bound to not be many, especially if they prove to not survive as well as normal coloured lions- why is it deemed necessary to conserve them? Surely the real reason is that they are a rare zoo exhbibit, not a rare species.

Answer 1

I would like to point out to people that there is a big difference between an albino and a white.  There are many animals, bear, moose, reptiles, hoofstock, birds, cats, etc, etc, that can be born white and are NOT an albino.

As far as them being in the wild, yes they are extremely rare.  Mainly for the fact that most "white" animals or "albinos" are picked off by predators when they are young because they stand out like a sore thumb. Even within captivity there are not many that are white.  We were lucky enough to house some for a short time and they were beautiful, great personalities as well.

HOWEVER there is no genetic difference between them and normal lions (other than color) so when push comes to shove they are still lions and lions are far from rare.  It is just rare to get a white.  

With genetics, they have yet to find any issues with "white" animals.  To date, unless there is a new study I have yet to see, they are just as healthy as normal colored animals.  For the most part it would be like having two human parents with brown hair having a child with blonde hair a genetic freak.  They are still healthy, it is just there was a different code in their DNA.

Where they can get into trouble with geneticis is if they have some in captivity and irresponsible breeders start breeding white lions willy-nilly with unhealthy lions, similar bloodline, etc, etc, etc just to try and get white lions.

Side note, there are no zoos within the US trying to breed white lions.  (however that does not include some roadside c**p fest that lord only knows what they are doing)

Answer 2

Albino (white with pink eyes) or Melanistic (black) animals can occur in any species.  And, in the wild it IS rare, but not unheard of.  It occurs far more readily in captivity because man "breeds them that way" by mating one or both parents with an albino.  Where do you think white mice and rats came from?  

In the wild, albinos rarely survive, mainly because they do not have the protective coloration that keeps predators from finding them.  Also, along with albinism, comes lesser quality traits, like musculature, etc, and this makes them generally weaker and sicklier than normal animals of their species.

Answer 3

Albino lions are rare.  White lions are a color phase.  Why one would want to encourage albinism is beyond logic.  Why people cross bred lions and tigers is beyond logic.  I guess they just wanna make money.  Sad.

White lion or white leopard or white tiger are not a species.  Just a color phase.  There is one species of lion, Panthera leo, and two subspecies.  

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/si...

Answer 4

as far as I know, they are "albinos", i.e. their genes have a defect that causes them to have white coloured hair and blue eyes.

it's not a distinct species.

in the wilderness, they hardly survive because their camouflage is not that good. the funny thing about them is that their offsprings are not necessarily white - they can be of normal colour.

Man has always liked rarities, and tried to conserve them - we love to admire these 'special' creatures.

Answer 5

White lions, like white tigers, are not albinos, but have a genetic condition called leucism, which results in reduced pigmentation. They are not a different species or subspecies, and you are absolutely right - the main reason for breeding them in captivity is simply to draw in the public. Indeed, many white tigers are inbred, so popular have they become. Leucistic individuals can and do occur in the wild from time to time, but like albinos this is rare, since the condition is passed on by recessive genes and is generally detrimental to the animal. A white coat makes the animal stand out, meaning that most leucistic or albino animals born are killed by predators whilst still young. Those that do make it to adulthood have a tough time hunting for the same reason - they lack the natural camouflage of normally coloured lions and tigers, making it easier for their prey to see them coming. Personally I feel it is not good conservation to concentrate on these rare mutants in captivity, since they are taking up valuable resources that could better be spent on breeding those animals that carry genes best suited to survival in the wild, should the time for reintroduction arrive in the near future.

In response to Jim's answer, I'd just like to point out that there are more than two subspecies of lion - there is the Masai lion, Kruger lion, Barbary lion, Asiatic lion, etc. They are all the same species though, Panthera leo.

And in response to Space Coyote's answer, sadly lions are not 'far from rare'. Their numbers have declined drastically in recent years, and it's thought by some that there may now be fewer lions in Africa than cheetahs. Yet despite mounting evidence of the threats to the species, few people seem to be aware of this - their plight is far less publicized than that of tigers, for example. As far as I know the lion has not yet been placed on the endangered species list (which the cheetah is on, incidentally).

Answer 6

They are a zoo attraction.

They are bred to be white, more could be produced when needed.

Calling them 'rare' brings in the cr$wds.

Think white rats.

They are rare in nature though, a normal lion with a mutated gene as you said.

Answer 7

Yes. You call anything that you can't see regularly rare, right? However if it is not an endangered specie that's a different story.

There's a difference between the word "rare" and "endangered specie"

I hope this has answered your question. ^_^

Answer 8

It is right as they are rare, but no they're not a different species.

Answer 9

i would not say they are rare, its just that the white gene is disappearing in the cats so there are trying to save it.  i all so believe it is a way of these people to make money from zoos and places like that where they show these white lions. i love all cats in the wild and i believe all them should be treated as special as the next one that is born.  i think the white gene in the cats will never die, if people stop killing these animal's for fur and as trophies the world of cats and all animal's would do just fine. i blame mankind for the word  (rare). i think i got a bit lost, i cant help but think about what man has done in the wild. i probably was no help but i think you will understand where i am coming from

Answer 10

well, no.

i would'nt say rare, people see them in the wild all the time.

although many are being raised in captivity.

then release tham back into the wild.

so the population IS rising.

and theres more in zoos!

Answer 11

They're not rare- you get them everywhere these days..