Claude (alligator)

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Claude
Albino Alligator 2008.jpg
Claude in 2008 in his swamp at the California Academy of Sciences
Species Alligator mississippiensis
SexMale
Hatched (1995-09-15) September 15, 1995 (age 30)
Owner California Academy of Sciences
Weight222 lb (101 kg)

Claude (hatched September 15, 1995) is an albino alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ) at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, United States. Claude lacks the pigment melanin, resulting in colorless skin, and he has poor eyesight associated with his albinism.

Background

Claude was hatched on September 15, 1995, in Louisiana, [1] [2] weighing 2 ounces (57 g) at birth. [3] He was in danger in the wilderness owing to albinism, which did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. He was initially raised at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida. [4]

Claude was taken to the California Academy of Sciences in 2008. [3] [5] Claude was originally housed with a non-albino female alligator named Bonnie. In January 2009, Bonnie bit one of Claude's right fingers. The finger developed an infection and needed to be amputated. [6] [7] Bonnie was subsequently moved back to Florida. [3] In April 2025, the California Academy of Sciences launched the ‘Claude Cam,’ a 24/7 livestream of Claude as he lounges, swims, and snoozes in his Swamp exhibit. [8]

Claude weighed 300 pounds (140 kg) and was 10 feet (3.0 m) long as of 2025. [9] He has 76 teeth. [3] He appears completely white because he lacks the pigment melanin. [10] He also has poor eyesight due to his albinism. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Peach, Jeanette (August 11, 2025). "Claude the Albino Alligator Turns 30, California Academy of Sciences Celebrates with a Monthlong Birthday Bash". California Academy of Sciences.
  2. ↑ Vaziri, Aidin (August 12, 2025). "Claude the albino alligator turns 30 — and San Francisco is celebrating big". San Francisco Chronicle.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Guthrie, Julian (September 14, 2010). "Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday". SFGate. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ Perlman, David (January 14, 2009). "Toe-bit albino gator to be pulled for checkup". SFGate.
  5. ↑ "Gators head for swampy S.F. home". SFGate. August 20, 2008.
  6. ↑ Perlman, David (March 27, 2009). "Albino gator, minus a toe, returns to exhibit". SFGate.
  7. ↑ Rubenstein, Steve (February 9, 2015). "Tough times for koi continue as S.F. aquarium looks to sever ties". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ Vaziri, Aidin (April 2, 2025). "San Francisco's albino alligator Claude gets his own livestream webcam". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Claude Gets Psysical". September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ "The Swamp". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
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