A never-before-seen critter surfaced on Martha’s Vineyard the other week. Noted naturalist and former World of Reptiles and Birds Park owner Gus Ben David reported the discovery of a rare albino Norway rat at his nephew’s chicken house in Edgartown.

“As far as we know it’s the only albino rat recorded in Massachusetts,” Mr. Ben David said.

After encountering the pale, white rat with red eyes, Ed Ben David Jr. trapped it and sent its remains to his uncle Gus, the Island’s authority on all things wild.

Norway rats emigrated to American around 1775, and are usually brown.

Ray Ewing

Norway rats emigrated to American around 1775, and are usually brown.

Ray Ewing

“Everything is reported to me on Martha’s Vineyard,” Gus Ben David said. “If anybody finds something unusual, I get the call.”

Mr. Ben David’s colleague Tom French confirmed the rodent’s rarity. Mr. French is an assistant director for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Natural Heritage Program. He reported that there had been no recording of an albino Norway rat in Massachusetts before this discovery.

“Albinism can happen in any animal, including human beings,” explained Mr. Ben David. “Some animals are more prone than others. We have [seen] albino turtles and albino alligators.”

Albinism occurs when animals inadequately produce melanin pigment due to an inherited recessive gene. Most albino animals suffer physical limitations. The genetic defect gives animals poor vision, light sensitivity and weakened blood circulation.

“Albino animals are very seldom healthy,” said Mr. Ben David.

Non-native to the United States, the Norway rat originated in Asia. Norway rats arrived in America at around 1775 according to Mr. Ben David. These rats wear a brown fur with black eyes, typically migrating into farmland during late spring months.

Mr. Ben David plans to send the male rodent to the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge. But at the moment he is preserving the rat in his basement freezer.