Discovered all-black penguin

On the page of the TV channel BBC America on Facebook has published a video with the Emperor penguins, filmed in Antarctica by authors of Dynastiesabout endangered animals. The recording is notable because it captures a completely black penguin.

Usually an Emperor penguin's belly is white, and the back, wings and head are black. But this penguin is black on all sides.

Experts explain the unusual color of the animal a rare genetic mutation — melanism that causes the development of dark pigment in the skin. According to them, a similar phenomenon was seen earlier, the king penguins, but among the Imperial observed for the first time.

This is probably the only instance of its kind, as individuals with this mutation are unable to mimic the snow-white environment and from an early age they become easy prey for predators.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»