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Photo by Donita Clausen click image to enlarge

Albino squirrel finds home in Ark City neighborhood

BY RHONDA ROSS
Traveler Staff Writer

Earlier last week, the Traveler newsroom received word that an unidentified caller had reported seeing an albino squirrel in Arkansas City.

This was definitely news since only 10 in every one million squirrels are born with albinism, a condition caused by a melanin deficiency.

You wouldn't think it would be that difficult to find a white squirrel, not to mention a white squirrel with pink eyes, once you know it's there, but you would be wrong.

Daily trips to the area yielded nothing. The weekend came and still no squirrel. Apparently, it's a matter of timing.

Louise Coldwell's yard has been a regular hangout for the squirrel since it was born. Louise isn't sure how old the squirrel is, just that it was a baby in the springtime and she believes it was born in one of her trees.

"It had a favorite tree it liked to be around for a long time," she said. The Coldwells and their neighbors have all shown an interest in the squirrel.

"We just enjoy watching it," Louise said. "I think most people do. We've had cars stop and (people) look at it."

Esther Hatcher lives across the street from the Coldwells. The squirrel has been as close as her front porch.

"It's a cute little squirrel," Esther said yesterday. "It's been hanging around for several months. It was over here this morning," (Monday).

Esther said the squirrel has grown quite a bit since she first saw it.

The truth is, the squirrel is lucky to still be alive. Albino squirrels have a very short life expectancy because they are easily seen by both predators and prey due to their obvious lack of camouflage.

Louise thinks it's more likely that the squirrel will be run over by a car. "It crosses Poplar Avenue and that scares me," she said.

She said sometimes the squirrel will be gone for a week and she'll worry that something happened to it.

"When we don't see it for a week or so, I'll think, 'Oh, no, it's gone,' but then it'll show up," she said.

Yesterday morning, Traveler photographer Donita Clausen was in the right place at the right time. The white squirrel and a fox squirrel were both playing in the Coldwell's yard.

Louise said the squirrels play so much in the area that she can't keep a bulb or a plant, but she doesn't really mind. "I think I prefer the squirrels," she said.

Above: High temperatures didn't stop Ark City's albino squirrel and a friend from having fun Monday afternoon.