Moose are already pretty strange animals with their massive antlers, long legs, and unexpected swimming skills. But some individual moose — or rare moose-related stories — really take the weirdness to another level. Here are five of the strangest moose in the world:
1. The White “Ghost” Moose of Sweden
Location: Värmland, Sweden
Why It’s Strange: This moose is completely white, not due to albinism, but due to a rare genetic condition called leucism. It’s so striking it looks almost supernatural, and local legends have grown around it. Videos of it walking through forests like a living snow spirit have gone viral.
2. The Swimming Moose of Newfoundland
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Why It’s Strange: Moose are great swimmers — but one moose was spotted swimming over 2 miles (3.2 km) in the ocean from one island to another. Locals feared it would drown or be attacked by predators, but it made it across effortlessly. Moose have even been spotted swimming between islands in Alaska and Maine.
3. The Urban Moose of Anchorage
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Why It’s Strange: A moose known locally as “Downtown Debbie” became famous for casually walking into hospitals, waiting outside grocery stores, and bedding down in flower gardens. Despite being a full-size wild animal, she was so comfortable in human spaces that residents treated her like a local celebrity.
4. The Multi-Antlered Moose of Quebec
Location: Quebec, Canada
Why It’s Strange: A particularly bizarre moose was photographed with what appeared to be extra antler growths — likely caused by past injuries or a hormonal imbalance. The result looked like the antler version of a crown of thorns. Wildlife experts were baffled, and the image spread quickly online.
5. The Moose Trapped in a Swing Set
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Why It’s Strange: A juvenile moose got its legs tangled in a backyard children’s swing set and couldn’t get out. Wildlife officers had to sedate it and cut apart the swing to free it. This odd and slightly comical incident highlighted just how much moose and suburbia can clash in strange ways.
Would you like pictures or videos of any of these strange moose?