Recent Examples on the Web

The animals’ unique white appearance was due to leucism, a condition that causes partial loss of pigmentation. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "Two Rare White Giraffes Killed by Poachers in Kenya," 12 Mar. 2020

Hayes said some have speculated leucism is caused by inbreeding, although scientists aren't sure. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Rare white killer whale – one of only a handful ever recorded – spotted in Alaska," 20 Aug. 2020

Though scientists are not sure what causes leucism, Hayes said, some have speculated that inbreeding can cause higher rates of the mutation. Anchorage Daily News, "Rare white orca spotted in Southeast Alaska," 14 Aug. 2020

The rare white killer whale has a condition called leucism, Hayes said. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Rare white killer whale – one of only a handful ever recorded – spotted in Alaska," 20 Aug. 2020

Caused by a mutation in the whale’s DNA, leucism is different from albinism, in which a creature is all white with pink eyes. Anchorage Daily News, "Rare white orca spotted in Southeast Alaska," 14 Aug. 2020

Unlike animals with albinism, animals with leucism may continue to produce dark pigments in the soft tissues and eyes—hence the mother giraffe and her calves had dark eyes and dark tail hair, according to Live Science’s Brandon Specktor. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "Two Rare White Giraffes Killed by Poachers in Kenya," 12 Mar. 2020

The giraffes did not have albinism, but displayed the symptoms of a different genetic condition, known as leucism, in which animals often experience a partial loss of pigmentation. New York Times, "2 Rare White Giraffes Slaughtered by Poachers in Kenya," 11 Mar. 2020

The animals got their unique coloring from a condition known as leucism, which is a genetic condition that causes the giraffes' skin cells to fail to produce pigmentation. Francisco Guzman And Brian Ries, CNN, "Rare white giraffes killed by poachers at Kenyan wildlife sancutary," 10 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leucism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.