The Pale Hunter

White tigers aren't albinos! They are not a separate subspecies either but a color variant of the Bengal tiger caused by a recessive genetic trait, a rare genetic mutation called "leucism". This mutation prevents the fur from turning orange but leaves the black stripes and blue eyes intact. Unlike albinos (true albinos would have pink eyes and no stripes), they still produce dark pigment, which gives them their signature stripes. Their blue eyes, pink noses and pale stripes are characteristic traits that distinguish them from standard orange tigers.

White tigers are functionally extinct in the wild. The last known wild white tiger was spotted in the 1950s. Today, they exist almost exclusively in captivity.