MANTEO, N.C. — A unique reptile celebrated a birthday milestone at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
Bleu the alligator turned 10 years old, and was given special treats that included birthday "cake" comprised of slices of cantaloupe and watermelon. Alligator biscuits and small fish made up the icing on the top.
Bleu stands out among other gators, as he has a condition called leucism, which results in most of his skin being white. He does have some patches of normal-colored skin and his eyes are blue, unlike an albino animal which would have no skin pigmentation and red eyes.
Survival in the wild for leucistic and albino animals is a challenge. Their pale colors make them stand out in their natural habitat, making them easy targets for predators. The lack of pigmentation can also make alligators like Bleu at higher risk of skin diseases and sunburn.
Bleu and another male leucistic alligator hatched in June 2009 at a federal preserve in Louisiana. They were cared for by Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species until 2013, when Bleu came to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
He currently shares his habitat with another alligator named Hallow.
