Are you familiar with albino turtles? Have you ever seen an albino turtle? We’ve seen tigers, penguins, giraffes, and albino or leucistic whales. Their orange-tinged skin and shell, along with their crimson eyes, make them a sight to behold. They look like Koopa Paratroopas and are a whole lot of fun for fans of Super Mario Bros. Unfortunately, they are particularly vulnerable due to their unique appearance, just like other albino animals.

Albino turtles are far more vulnerable to predators because they lack the cover that their natural coloring provides. As a result, their lifetime is shortened, adding to the rarity of their species. Despite their hereditary disadvantage, albino turtles are fortunate in the albino animal world. They survive longer than other albino species due to the protection provided by their hard shell, yet their lifespan is still lower than that of a regular turtle.

Albinism in turtles differs from albinism in humans or even birds. One pigment is always present in reptiles, which is why they seem red or yellow rather than white. They should be called amelanistic instead, because melanin is the pigment they lack. The lack of pigment affects many portions of the body, including the irises of the eyes, just as it does with albinism. This isn’t to suggest that albino turtles don’t exist; they just aren’t as common. Sulcata turtles are the most likely of all turtle species to be albino, yet they will never be entirely white.

Albino turtles are so uncommon and gorgeous that they generate quite a buzz on the internet. An albino pinkbelly sideneck turtle was born with her heart beating outside of her body a few years ago. Hope, as she is appropriately named, became an internet phenomenon and continues to flourish owing to her owner’s care, who chronicles her growth on Instagram.

Albino turtles are uncommon, yet their shell allows them to live longer than other albino creatures.