This is the true story of Claude, a white alligator who, years ago, cracked out of his shell in a Louisiana swamp to discover he looked different from the other hatchlings. For safety, he was placed in a special zoo where he lived alone for almost thirteen years.

When scientists at the California Academy of Sciences learned about Claude, they asked if he could come and live in their swamp habitat. There he lived with a green alligator named Bonnie, who the scientists hoped would become his friend. Unfortunately Bonnie didn't like his differences, so she had to leave. And then Claude was alone again—or was he?

As it turns out, Claude had many friends! There were enormous snapping turtles who shared his habitat and liked him just as he was. So did the thousands of visitors who poured in from all over the world to see him. Claude's differences made him special.

From the dust jacket