Illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter. Claude is an albino alligator that hatched out in a swamp in Louisiana. He was immediately at risk from predators, and shunned by his hatchmates- all ordinary green alligators. Claude was put in a zoo where he would be protected. But he lived in solitude. Then the Academy of Sciences in California heard about Claude and inquired if he could be in their display. So he was trucked across the country. He had a swamp habitat with a special heated island, and an alligator companion- one of the other gators from the zoo accompanied him. The hope was that in a confined space, they would learn to get along. They didn’t- the other gator was often annoyed by Claude’s clumsiness (he had poor eyesight) and eventually attacked him. So that alligator was sent back to the zoo. But Claude wasn’t alone- several snapping turtles in his enclosure became his good companions.
I had to read this children’s book when I found it, because I’ve seen that alligator! Or pretty sure I have. I visited the Academy of Sciences several times when I lived in San Francisco as an art student. I have leaned on that seahorse railing, and I recognized the plants and structure of Claude’s little swamp. I think I even have a drawing in my sketchbook of an alligator that was probably Claude. So I was pretty pleased to read this book about him. Back then, I didn’t even think about where the alligator came from or his story- I recall just thinking oh, cool- a white alligator! and that’s about it. Nice to learn more about him, so many years later.
Borrowed from the public library.
