Why are some elephants almost "white"?
The difference between African and Asian elephants can be seen in the skin structure as well. Asian elephants have a finer skin than their African relatives.
Especially Asian Elephants often do not have colour on their skin, most conspiciously on their ears and forehead. These "white" spots are the contrary of our freckles. In most cases, this "depigmentation" has a genetic reason. Young elephants mostly are wholly "grey". The first white spots come with the age. Wholly white elephants (albinos) are rare and seen as holy.