Albinism is a recessive trait and is quite rare. Albinos are often shunned in wild populations. Biologists believe albinos are alienated by their own species in an instinctive drive to preserve the integrity of the gene pool. Prey species may shun albinos as mates because their albinism makes them more easily noticed, thus attracting predators. Albinism is the absence of melanin.
Melanin is the pigment responsible for coloration.
Total - a complete absence of melanin. The melanin is not only missing from the skin but also from the eyes and hair. This is the rarest form of albinism. Imperfect - melanin is present but only in small amounts. Partial - melanin is absent from only certain areas.