Rare Albino Squirrel Delights Onlookers While Scaling a Tree in London
No matter where you live, there's a good chance you're going to see at least some evidence of wildlife when you go outside. From pigeons to squirrels to insects, whoever you spot is a reminder that you're actually spending time in their outdoor home, not yours (though plenty of animals are happy to share their corner of nature).
Every once in a while, you might even spot a rare creature, like the albino squirrel in the video below. This little guy looks like a Pokémon character or the star of an animated Disney movie, but they are very real!
@abcnews A man couldn't believe his luck after he spotted an "albino" squirrel scaling a tree in London, England. Albinism occurs in one in 100,000 squirrels, according to a University of Texas biologist. #animals#squirrels#london
original sound - ABC News - ABC News
On Wednesday, May 20, ABC News shared this clip of a man who discovered an albino squirrel scampering up a tree while he was outdoors in London. Not exactly where you'd expect a sighting like this to take place, but it really did happen!
Since the squirrel lives in a big city, it's not surprising to see that they weren't really bothered by a human noticing them, allowing us to get a really good look at their beautiful white fur (and precious face).
See all that delight on this man's face? That's exactly how I would feel if I got to see one of these squirrels up close and personal. How cool!
Related: This Sweet Squirrel Treats a Tiny Calico Critter Toy Like Her Baby
How Rare Are Albino Squirrels?
True albino squirrels are pretty rare, so this man was right to be in awe when he spotted one in the wild. Many experts agree that the chances that an albino squirrel will be born to a gray squirrel is about 1 in 100,000, so that explains why they're so uncommon.
Location also matters when it comes to the likelihood of spotting these beautiful creatures. One website dedicated to the wildlife of the Smoky Mountains points out that certain areas are home to albino squirrel colonies. They seem to flock to urban areas out of safety, since there are less predators who can reach them in the middle of a big city!
Also, don't forget that white squirrels are actually a thing, so not every white squirrel you spot will have albinism.
How to Tell If a Squirrel Is Albino
A true albino squirrel will have pink eyes (like the one in the video), while a white squirrel will have dark-colored eyes. These squirrels are called leucystic squirrels, which have less skin pigmentation thanks to their genetics but not a total absence of pigmentation like those with albinism.
So keep your eyes open while you're taking a walk in the park, because you might just be lucky enough to spot one of these little beauties.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 11:30 AM.