Fluffy, blond and mysterious: What is this adorable creature perched in a Texas tree?

What looks fluffy, has blond hair and was found lounging in a tree in Texas?

A porcupine, officials say. But not just any ol’ porcupine.

The Panhandle division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife department shared photos of the porcupine to Facebook on Saturday. The porcupine appears to be lighter than average — a beautiful golden blond — with dark eyes and a “smize” that puts even the most seasoned model to shame.

But the porcupine has a special condition. No, it’s not albino, officials say, it has leucism.

“Leucism can make an animal have white or patchy colored skin, hair, feathers and even quills, but the pigment in the eyes are not affected,” the department said in the post, adding the best way to determine if an animal is albino or leucistic is to check its eyes.

Animals with albinism typically have pink eyes due to the absence of melanin — the pigment that determines eye, fur, or in this case, quill color, National Geographic says.

Leucism, however, is only a partial lack of melanin that can give animals patchy white coloring, according to Mother Nature Network.

Some Facebook users felt particularly akin to the golden porcupine.

“My spirit animal,” one person commented.

“Nice catch.”

Another hinted at the resemblance between the porcupine’s shade of blond and a certain Commander in Chief’s hair color, writing: “He’s running for president.”

This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Fluffy, blond and mysterious: What is this adorable creature perched in a Texas tree?."