VIRAL PHOTO: Rare white-striped squirrel spotted in Missouri

white squirrel
Photo credit (John Dockery, via Missouri Dept. of Conservation)

A photo of rare animal sighting in Missouri has gone viral. The picture is of a unique squirrel with leucism, shared by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The color mutation seen in many animals caused this squirrel to have white strips of fur on its mid-section and tail. MDC credited John Dockery for sending in the photo.

It was shared more than 1,000 times within a few hours of posting on Friday morning. Leucism is a condition that results in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal, according to MDC.

MDC says it's an eastern gray squirrel – the most common members of the squirrel family in Missouri.

Featured Image Photo Credit: (John Dockery, via Missouri Dept. of Conservation)