This rare condition turns animals black. Cause, here
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 12:50 PM - Melanism is a rare condition that can make for some interesting-looking animals.
It's caused an over-development of melanin in the skin and can turn animals completely or partially black. Melanism is the opposite of albinism, which turns animals white.
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Some animals develop melanism intentionally. Some black-bodied peppered moths and two-spot lady bugs, for example,have evolved darker colours because they live in areas impacted by industrial pollution.
Both species have turned darker to better blend in with their environment, which is full of sulphur dioxide gas and dark soot deposits. Experts call this "industrial melanism".
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Ayam Cemani is a rare breed of chicken from Indonesia which has turned completely black due to a dominant gene. Its feathers, meat, and internal organs are melanistic as well.
Some black-bodied peppered moths and two-spot ladybugs (below) have turned black to better blend in to their polluted environments, which are full of sulphur dioxide and dark soot deposits.
