Rare Albino Alligator Claude Turns 30, Celebrated As Bay Area Icon

CBS Bay Area

September 15, 2025

In the still waters of an indoor swamp nestled within the California Academy of Sciences, a ghostly figure glides just beneath the surface. Claude, the museum's beloved albino alligator, marks a rare and remarkable milestone this week: his 30th birthday.

Born without melanin, Claude's brilliant white appearance is due to albinism, a genetic condition that renders him both visually striking and highly vulnerable in the wild. In nature, his lack of camouflage and sensitivity to sunlight would make survival nearly impossible. But here in San Francisco, Claude has not only survived, he's become a local legend.

"Claude has become this massive icon to the San Francisco community," said biologist Jessica Witherly, one of the Academy's animal caretakers. "Everyone loves him and his story. He's got two children's books. And we get news articles or info from kids across the United States saying how much they love Claude. So he's kind of become this iconic character."

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