Acromelanism

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As acromelanism or Kälteschwärzung the dark color of the cooler body parts (face, legs, tail) is referred to in various mammals. Cold blackening occurs in various animal species, for example in point cats (domestic cats), Russian rabbits (domestic rabbits) or English park cattle (domestic cattle).

The name is misleading because it is actually not a form of melanism , but a partial albinism ; a heat-sensitive tyrosinase produces less or no pigment on the warmer parts of the body. At birth, acromelanistic animals are still completely white, the "cold spots" only develop later. The mutation belongs to the oculocutaneous albinism type 1 .

  • Ragdoll cat with still white puppies

  • Russian rabbit

  • Acromelanistic rats

  • English park cattle

swell