SYDNEY, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The first ever albino northern quoll, a rare species of marsupial, has been found in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, and is reported to be carrying joeys.
"It's a very exciting discovery," research scientist Judy Dunlop, who found the quoll, said on Tuesday.
"Albinism is something we know occurs in all species, but this is the first time we've come across an albino quoll."
The condition, which also occurs in humans, reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin and hair, giving them a pale white appearance, as well as creating a reddish look in the eyes of some species.
Dunlop reported finding eight babies, or joeys, in the rare creature's pouch although because they are so young, they have not yet developed fur or opened their eyes, making it impossible to tell if any of them have inherited the rare genetic trait from their mother.
Similar to their southern cousins the Tasmanian Devil, quolls are carnivorous and are normally covered in spotted reddish-brown fur.
"The albino quoll is really unusual looking with her white fur and intense red eyes," Dunlop said.
"Her fur is also much softer than a regular quolls."
