The Mystery Behind a Rare White Moose Seen in Sweden

Moose are beautiful creatures. They grow tall and have large antlers, making them a sight to behold. However, when we think of moose, we don’t usually imagine them with pure white fur. This video by Storyful Viral shows a completely white moose taking a dip in the water. Read on to learn more about this moose and others like it.

What Makes the Moose White?

While it’s impossible to make a 100% statement on what might cause a moose to be white, there are different ideas about what it can be attributed to. The first to come to many people’s minds is albinism. Albinism is a genetic condition that is characterized by the lack of melanin pigment production in either parts of or the entire body. Albinism is an inherited trait, meaning that offspring of an albino moose would also have a chance of having the same condition.

While albinism is one possibility, there are other mutations that can create completely white fur. One is piebaldism, which is characterized by a lack of melanocytes—the cells that produce melanin. This condition is noticeable by the white patches that appear on the fur of various animals, including moose. Piebaldism occurs when there are mutations in the KIT and SNAI2 genes. Another mutation that may possibly make the moose white is leucism. Leucism affects the skin cells and leads to complete or partial whiteness of the skin and fur. Leucism is a genetic mutation, meaning that it is inherited through the parents. While it’s impossible to tell what the cause is for the moose in the video, these three are possible reasons.

Is it an Advantage or Disadvantage?

Genetic mutations can result in more disadvantages than advantages. While white moose are beautiful, they may struggle in the wild for a number of different reasons. Albinism is known for potentially creating poor eyesight, making it difficult for moose with this condition to defend themselves or find food. The lack of melanin in all three conditions can contribute to increased rates of skin cancer, as the skin is more prone to sunburns. While these moose may be extremely beautiful, they are also resilient in facing the challenges their conditions present.