Watch a Rare Wilderness Encounter with a Giant and Gorgeous White Moose

Having Trouble Watching? Unfortunately sometimes creators disable or remove their video after we publish. Try to Watch on YouTube

Written by Sharon Parry

Updated: October 22, 2023

Share on:

Continue reading for our analysis...

Pale colored moose
© Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.com

Captured in a stunning part of Sweden, this ghostly sight came as a surprise to road users. A large, pale tan, moose approaches the road and checks that it is safe before crossing! This rare animal is stunningly beautiful but is this unusual color a disadvantage?

What Do Moose Normally Look Like?

A bull moose in the woods of Maine.

Mature moose usually have dark brown fur

©Paul Tessier/Shutterstock.com

Moose are the largest of the deer species and stand six feet from ground to shoulder, weigh 1,800 pounds, and are about ten feet long. Their scientific name is Alces alces which comes from the Latin word for elk. The name moose is derived from the Algonquian word “mus” or “moos”, which means “twig-eater”.

Male moose are recognized by their large antlers which can be five feet or more across. All moose are recognized by their long faces and their muzzles that hang over their chins. They also have a flap of skin swaying under their throat which is called a dewlap or a bell. The exact function of this is unknown but it may be connected with communication during the rut. Alternatively, it may indicate dominance over other bulls.  

When it comes to color, the adults have dark brown fur but the young moose have light brown fur. The coloration that we see here is unusual.

Why Are Some Moose White?

Pale colored moose

Leucism causes moose to have a pale coat.

©Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.com

This moose is a pale White color. However, some tan moose have been spotted in Alaska but they are not albinos. Instead, the condition is called leucism which is a genetic mutation. It causes a partial lack of pigment in the skin and hair but the eyes are still dark. In albinism, there is no melanin pigment at all and the eyes are pink. It is also possibly caused by a nutritional deficiency when the moose is in the womb.

It may look stunning, but it is not necessarily great news for the moose. This unusual color does not exactly blend in within a forest environment. It could make the individual a target for predators. The reason we do not see many moose of this color is that they do not survive that long. Hopefully, this stunner was able to enjoy the forest for a few more years.

Is it Normal Behavior For a Moose to Wander Near Roads?

Moose running up Main Street, Homer, Alaska

Due to an increase in both the moose population and the number of vehicles on the roads, the chances of seeing a moose near roadways in certain areas have increased.

©Beeblebrox, CC BY-SA 3.0 – License

Moose are commonly found throughout North America, in Canada, and about 19 states in the U.S., most notably in Alaska, as far south as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and in the northeastern states such as Maine, New Hampshire, and New Hampshire. Although they are generally found in forests near water, they are actively on the move. There are also certain times of the year when they are more active than others.

Early autumn is the breeding season for moose and the males are rutting as they are actively searching for a mate. They are on the move which brings them to areas where they may not typically go. Due to an increase in both the moose population and the number of vehicles on the roads, the chances of seeing a moose near roadways in certain areas have increased.

While it is normal for moose to cross roads, the sighting of a tan moose is very rare. Even rarer is the sighting of an albino moose, which according to wildlife biologists, the odds of seeing are 100,000:1. This rare moose is protected in some regions of the U.S. and Canada.


Share this post on:
About the Author

Dr Sharon Parry is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on dogs, animal behavior, and research. Sharon holds a PhD from Leeds University, UK which she earned in 1998 and has been working as a science writer for the last 15 years. A resident of Wales, UK, Sharon loves taking care of her spaniel named Dexter and hiking around coastlines and mountains.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.