The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

White Tiger Cubs in Chile

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Yesterday the Chilean National Zoo in Santiago debuted five rare white tiger cubs. White cubs often create media sensations but frequently the news reports get the facts wrong. Many articles about these cubs suggest white tigers are a distinct subspecies or that they are albinos as in this coverage from Fox News. Neither of these are the case. In fact, white tigers are either Bengal tigers or Bengal-Siberian tiger mixes that have two recessive genes for pale coloration. While orange tigers with recessive genes do occasionally breed in the wild creating a white tiger, it is much more common for them to be bred for this characteristic.

White tiger cubs national zoo chile 4 Above photo credit: Reuters

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Photo credits (pictures 2-5): Associated Press

 

19 responses to “White Tiger Cubs in Chile”

  1. S Avatar
    S

    Rawr!

    Reply
  2. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Are you aware that this is a dangerous genetic mutation and that this hasn’t happened naturally since 1957? White tiger cubs are all a product of inbreeding.

    Reply
  3. Smilla Avatar
    Smilla

    Love the Team Tiger shot.

    Reply
  4. Hilary Minor Avatar
    Hilary Minor

    They are the most beautiful creatures and look so healthy. Their colouration might be the result of a genetic mutation but are all genetic mutations necessarily “dangerous”? Surely evolution is the story of genetic mutations, or maybe genetic mutations are the story of evolution!

    Reply
  5. Holy Cuteness Avatar
    Holy Cuteness

    Aren’t they pretty?

    Reply
  6. MGG Avatar
    MGG

    Hilary, yes, this is a neutral mutation, at least with respect to health.
    Since the trait is recessive, white tigers had been inbred in order to produce more white cubs. This can lead to a concentration of mutations that -are- harmful.
    I’d like a better source, but considering the feelings people have about this, wikipedia seems to have the most neutral discussion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tiger#Inbreeding_and_outcrossing

    Reply
  7. Nick Matyas Avatar
    Nick Matyas

    It’s really a awesome posting.
    You are always an excellent writer.
    Keep up the good work Man!!
    Webroyalty

    Reply
  8. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    They are adorble i’m writing an essay about them for schol they are sooo rare they are pretty animals why would anyone want to hunt
    them

    Reply
  9. robin meek Avatar
    robin meek

    I just viewed a vidio were your poor elephant suffered unbearable fear at the hands of so called zoo keepers? can elephants walk across bars that could have been placed over that mote. discusting….discusting.morrons. you couldnt think of better ways of caging or keeping your animals safe.you could see they cared for each other intertwining there trunks. only to be shocked and shocked over and over.god im sick ill never forget this. shame on anyone for suporting a zoo.

    Reply
  10. courtney Avatar
    courtney

    i want one where can i get a cub?

    Reply
  11. lindsey marquez Avatar
    lindsey marquez

    o my god they are so cute

    Reply
  12. Antwain Hudson Avatar
    Antwain Hudson

    WHITE TIGERS RULE FAM ON EVERYTHANG THEY DO

    Reply
  13. Sarah <3's tigers Avatar
    Sarah <3's tigers

    I <3 White Bengal Tigers. I’m doing a project on them and I found out that there is less than 2,000 left in the wild. That’s depressing.

    Reply
  14. pony lover Avatar
    pony lover

    cute as hell!

    Reply
  15. KC Avatar
    KC

    Jessica,
    White tigers are no longer found in the wild. All white tigers are bred in captivity for the vanity of private owners and high-paying zoos.
    They are a product of inbreeding, and when the litters do not produce what the breeders want (i.e. white color, good physical features) they are killed shortly after birth.
    Look up Kenny the White Tiger on youtube and find out what happens to the ones who escape murder. This is what white tiger breeders do NOT want people to see!

    Reply
  16. Bengal Tiger Avatar
    Bengal Tiger

    I think tigers are one of the most beautiful creatures on Earth. And these are even more so. What a shame that man has been such an enemy. Hopefully, we have wised up. The thought that future generation­s would be unable to share the world with these regal creatures saddens me.

    Reply
  17. linda Avatar
    linda

    yup they sure are adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  18. linda Avatar
    linda

    are you ok from yo head they can tear up yo house?

    Reply
  19. sorry can't put a name Avatar
    sorry can’t put a name

    they’re sooooooo adorable!!!!!!!!! i think all of you that are trying to save them should always keep going on it!

    Reply

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