Deep within the quiet forests of Norway, where mist weaves through pine branches and the underbrush moves with unseen life, something extraordinary happened.
Two pure white moose calves — twin siblings — stepped cautiously from the trees, following close behind their mother. The moment was captured on video, and the footage quickly sent waves of wonder across the internet.
Among the more than a million moose living across the Northern Hemisphere, these two stand apart — not just because they’re twins, but because of their rare, snowy coats.
🦌 A Once-in-a-Generation Sighting
The moose calves, estimated to be less than a month old, appeared small and slightly unsteady — a common trait in newborns born around mid-May. But their coats, bright white against the summer greenery, are what make them truly unforgettable.
According to Lee Kantar, Maine’s state moose biologist, the twins could be albino or piebald — two incredibly rare genetic conditions.
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Albino moose are completely white, often with pink eyes and skin.
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Piebald moose have mostly white fur with small patches of brown.
Either way, sightings of moose like this are exceptionally rare.
“Every year or two, a photo of a white moose might cross a researcher’s desk,” Kantar said. “But it’s not common — not even close.”
🌲 Protected and Revered
In some parts of Canada, white or piebald moose are protected by law, meaning hunters are not allowed to take animals that are mostly white in color. Similar protections exist in areas where these majestic creatures have been spotted in the wild, such as Alaska, home to nearly a sixth of North America’s moose.
Even though these moose lack the typical brown camouflage that helps them blend into forest surroundings, there’s still much we don’t know about whether their white coloring affects their survival.
🧡 The Power of a Protective Mother
Young moose face many challenges in their first month — from predators like wolves and bears to simply learning how to survive in the wild. But one thing’s for sure: their best chance lies with a vigilant mother.
“Their survival depends on how well the cow moose defends them,” Kantar explained.
“Color might play a role — but mom is everything.”
Seeing a pair of white moose calves together is so rare, so extraordinary, it almost feels like nature pressing pause for just a moment to remind us how much beauty still exists quietly in the world.
And for the lucky few who witnessed these twins walking calmly beside their mother, it was exactly that — a moment of wonder they’ll never forget.
