What Does Melanistic Mean?

1 : an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation (as of skin, feathers, or hair) of an individual or kind of organism. 2 : intense human pigmentation in skin, eyes, and hair. Other Words from melanism. melanistic \ ˌmel-​ə-​ˈnis-​tik \ adjective.

Can humans be melanistic?

In humans. Melanism, meaning a mutation that results in completely dark skin, does not exist in humans. ... People from parts of Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia may have very dark skin, but this is not melanism.

What causes melanistic animals?

Melanism is a rare condition that can make for some interesting-looking animals. It's caused by an over-development of melanin in the skin and can turn animals completely or partially black. Melanism is the opposite of albinism, and leucism, conditions that can turn animals white.