A rare all-white baby stingray has been born in a French Aquarium.
The stingray was born at Planet Ocean in the city of Montpellier in the southern French department of Herault.
According to national newspaper 20 Minutes, stingrays are usually beige and the birth of the white stingray has been called a “very rare phenomenon”.
The baby stingray measures about 10 centimetres (4 inches) and its gender is not yet known.
Marine scientists believe that the specimen might be albino because it still bears a few small black spots on its back.
The curator of Planet Ocean, Nicolas Hirel, said: ” Scientists will have to determine if it is indeed albinism or a lack of pigmentation.”
Hirel said that the aquarium team will now work with researchers from the University of Montpellier to analyse the little ray.
According to Hirel, the fact that the stingray is white does not mean it is weaker than the others, but in the wild, it can pose a problem when camouflaging itself.
Hirel said the stingray’s colour could make it more easily noticed by predators.
He added: “But in a reconstructed environment, as at Planet Ocean, this is not going to change anything.”
Planet Ocean has launched a Facebook campaign to name the white stingray.
So far suggestions include Casper and White Angel.
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Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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