White Squirrels in Henderson County

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

The white squirrel phenomena in western North Carolina is a popular topic of conversation among locals and an attraction for tourists. Local shops sell souvenirs based on the animal. Tourists prize a personal photo of the critter most of all.

white squirrel

The White Squirrel and Albino Squirrel Phenomena video

So what is the story on our local white squirrels? Are they albinos? Did they escape a circus or a lab?

Actually, our local population is a naturally occurring lighter colored variation of the native gray squirrel. In fact, many of our white squirrels will have gray hair on their heads and/or backs. So, essentially our white squirrels are just a genetic variation of the common gray squirrel. White squirrels are not common in rural areas due to their inability to hide effectively from predators. In urban areas where there are fewer predators, white squirrels can survive to breed more readily.

Albino white squirrels do exist. These solid white animals carry a gene for white pigmentation and will have pink eyes. Albino squirrels are very uncommon.

Squirrels can also exhibit a rare genetic black hair mutation. ‘Melanism’ is the term for animals who carry the genes for solid black hair pigmentation. These animals are rare.

white squirrels

Hopefully, if you live in Henderson County, you have seen white squirrels. If not, there is a good chance to see them in Jackson Park where there is a population.

Brevard, NC hosts the White Squirrel Festival in March annually.

White squirrel Festival Brevard

white squirrel statue