Gatorland Celebrates Birth of Rare White Gators
Mystic and Mayhem are the names given to the alligator siblings at Gatorland Orlando. A dedicated exhibit is being built for these rare creatures, enhancing our knowledge of genetic diversity in alligators.
By Beth Snider · January 31, 2024
Gatorland Orlando has officially named their two extraordinary alligator siblings born at the park last summer. The rare leucistic alligator, the first of its kind to be born in human care, has been christened Mystic, while her darker-skinned brother is now known as Mayhem. The names were revealed in a video shared by the park on Friday.
The public was invited to participate in naming the gators in December, receiving hundreds of suggestions. Mystic, with her stunning white skin and mesmerizing blue eyes, is one of only eight leucistic gators in the world. The genetic variation, distinct from albino alligators, is characterized by white skin with patches of normal coloration.
Mystic and Mayhem are the offspring of Jeyan, a leucistic gator, and Ashley, a gator with normal coloration. Notably, Mystic’s birth marks the first solid white alligator recorded from the original leucistic alligators discovered in the swamps of Louisiana in 1987.
"This is beyond rare. It is absolutely extraordinary."
The sensitivity of leucistic gators to sunlight due to their lack of darker skin pigmentation, necessitates special care. The birth of Mystic and Mayhem last year contributed significantly to the understanding and preservation of rare genetic variations within the American alligator species. To accommodate the twin’s needs, Gatorland is constructing a dedicated exhibit in the White Gator Swamp area of the park. McHugh anticipates its opening by spring, providing a suitable environment for the rare siblings.