A rare albino northern quoll that's been discovered in Western Australia is carrying joeys, but it is not yet known whether they too have the genetic condition.
The carnivorous marsupial was found south of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region by state government research scientist Judy Dunlop.
"It's a very exciting discovery. Albinism is something we know occurs in all species, but this is the first time we've come across an albino quoll," Dr Dunlop said on Tuesday.
The northern quoll is the smallest of the four Australian quoll species, is related to the Tasmanian devil and usually has reddish-brown fur with white spots.
"The albino quoll is really unusual looking with her white fur and intense red eyes," Dr Dunlop said.
"Her fur is also much softer than a regular quolls."
Dr Dunlop said the endangered nocturnal animal had eight joeys in her pouch.
"The joeys are too young to have hair and their eyes haven't opened yet, so we don't know if they have inherited their mother's albinism," she said.
Australian Associated Press
