The Camargue horse has the particularity of having a coat that changes color in its early years. The only color admitted by the breed's stud-book is gray, which distinguishes it from other primitive horses. Unlike true white horses, which have light skin, the Camargue horse has tough black skin to protect it from insect bites and a light coat that does not attract the mosquitoes of its native Camargue. Its coat evolves over several years: the horse is born with a dark coat that lightens under the effect of a so-called "graying" gene and gradually gives it a dark gray color. Around the age of five to six, its coat completely whitens and remains white until the end of its life.