You wait ages for one white whale… then TWO arrive! Stunned animal watchers spot a pair of rare orcas off the coast of Japan
Whale watchers off the coast of Japan were treated to a truly remarkable sight when they spotted not just one, but two rare white orcas swimming together.
The orcas were spotted by Mai, an employee of the Gojiraiwa-Kanko tourism company. She described one of the two as an older orca with slightly darker skin, while the other was a younger individual that showed clear scratch marks along its back. Interestingly, the older whale had been spotted about two years ago, but this was the first time both animals had been seen together and it was an exciting experience for all involved.
Mai expressed her excitement, saying, “It was the best day ever. This is the first time two white killer whales have been seen off the coast of Japan.” The rare sighting left Japanese whale watchers stunned as they marveled at the presence of these unique creatures off the coast of Hokkaido, one of Japan’s northernmost islands.
White orcas belong to a pod composed primarily of normally pigmented individuals. However, these two orcas are thought to carry a gene that causes leucism, a condition in which a partial loss of skin pigment occurs, resulting in a white appearance. Unlike true albinos who lack all melanin, these orcas exhibit leucism, which allows for some melanin production. Consequently, faint markings are still visible on their skin, and their eyes retain their dark color rather than the characteristic red associated with albinism.
This distinction explains why the white patches usually seen around an orca’s chin and eyes can still be made out in the two individuals sighted near Japan. It also clarifies why their eyes have not turned red, as seen in albinos. Furthermore, the younger orca has noticeable scars along its side, where the scar tissue appears to have healed into a darker shade compared to the surrounding white skin. This further highlights the uniqueness of these extraordinary animals.
White-headed orcas and whales were once so rare that they were considered mythical creatures. However, in recent years, sightings have become more frequent, and scientists now know of at least five living individuals with similar coloration. This increasing occurrence has provided researchers with valuable opportunities to study and understand the genetics and characteristics of these fascinating animals.
The remarkable sighting of two white killer whales off the coast of Japan serves as a reminder of the astonishing diversity found in our oceans. It also underscores the importance of preserving and protecting these extraordinary creatures and their habitats to ensure their continued existence for generations to come.
