Here's why:
* Albinism is a genetic condition: It occurs when an animal lacks the pigment melanin. This makes them very vulnerable to sunburn and predators.
* Dolphins have a wide distribution: They can be found in all oceans, from tropical to polar regions.
* Albino dolphins are not a separate species: They are just individuals with a rare genetic trait.
Because of their vulnerability, albino dolphins are rarely seen. They are often mistaken for other species, or their white color makes them more susceptible to being hunted by predators.
Some notable sightings of albino dolphins have occurred in:
* The Gulf of Mexico: A pod of bottlenose dolphins with albinism was observed there in 2013.
* The Pacific Ocean: An albino bottlenose dolphin was spotted off the coast of California in 2016.
* The Atlantic Ocean: An albino Atlantic white-sided dolphin was photographed off the coast of Nova Scotia in 2019.
While albino dolphins are rare, they are a reminder of the incredible diversity and wonder of the marine world.