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A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

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Not so long ago, there was a fun party at Zoo Atlanta: their gorilla Anaka celebrated her 6th birthday. To commemorate the joyous occasion, the employees at the facility snapped a couple of pics of the big girl and shared them on Facebook. People started sending their best wishes. However, while congratulating Anaka, those who were more observant noticed an interesting detail.

The gorilla has a unique patch of pigment on her hand. In the close-up picture of the pink patch, it even looks remarkably human-like. Which is understandable, considering that gorillas have opposable thumbs. Interestingly, like all primates, they also have individualized fingerprints and toeprints, which sometimes may be used for identification purposes. Unlike most animals we’re used to seeing, primates have fingernails and toenails rather than claws. They are used for opening and scraping things, cleaning, and scratching.

More info: Facebook

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

According to the zoo, not only is Anaka’s skin unique, but her personality is as well. “[She’s] often barking at her mom and others to get a prime spot for food and juice,” they wrote on their website. “She is often seen riding piggyback on her brother and sisters.”

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

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Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

Some people were thinking Anaka has vitiligo, a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. But Morena Lale commented that she wrote to the zoo about it and they didn’t confirm it, “I asked this question … and this is their reply: ‘Well, her skin pigment has always been like that and hasn’t changed over the years, so we think it’s just a cool birthmark.'” To learn more about Anaka’s distinctive feature, Bored Panda has reached out to Zoo Atlanta as well.

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

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Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

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A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Image credits: Zoo Atlanta

Here’s what people said about Anaka and her unique feature

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

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A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

A Gorilla Born With A Lack Of Pigmentation On Her Fingers Surprises People

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

What do you think ?

Louise Stange-Wahl 4 years ago

Like Carl Sagan often said, speaking of Primates and our fellow life forms. I consider it to be an honor to be so closely related to other sentient intelligent beings. How can ANYONE doubt that all life on Earth is related! We are all in this together!!

25points

earringnut 4 years ago

That is such a beautiful and true statement. Unfortunately all I can think of after that last sentence is Red Green saying "Keep your stick on the ice "

5points

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N G 4 years ago

Anaka, do you pinkie swear that..

19points

The Random Merp 4 years ago

I've seen this gorilla at the zoo in person before, and it's amazing how human they act!!! Her birthmark is super cool!

10points

Load More Comments

Louise Stange-Wahl 4 years ago

Like Carl Sagan often said, speaking of Primates and our fellow life forms. I consider it to be an honor to be so closely related to other sentient intelligent beings. How can ANYONE doubt that all life on Earth is related! We are all in this together!!

25points

earringnut 4 years ago

That is such a beautiful and true statement. Unfortunately all I can think of after that last sentence is Red Green saying "Keep your stick on the ice "

5points

Load More Replies...

N G 4 years ago

Anaka, do you pinkie swear that..

19points

The Random Merp 4 years ago

I've seen this gorilla at the zoo in person before, and it's amazing how human they act!!! Her birthmark is super cool!

10points

Load More Comments

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