I was searching online for a new desktop picture. I wanted something with beautiful eyes I could stare into, in my spare time...................... so I began looking for my favorite owl, barn owl. I came across this article about the melanism mutation occurring in barn owls (100,000 to one chance). In the wild apparently mothers won't feed the chicks unless they have white feathers, this black one was raised in captivity so it survived. The article also said the mutation makes the owls physically stronger. I must learn how the physical strength of owls is tested, all I know is the tread mill I use only has the fit test for human, oh and also for cat (BTW my cat has 2% body fat and he can run a mile in 5 mins.) Anyways, I wonder if this mutation occurs in other species and How do other species react to chicks, babes, pups, kiddiez, ect., with the mutation?