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All grizzly bears boast impressive claws, but only some boast claws that stand out because of their color.
The accompanying image, shared last week by Yukon Wildlife Cams, shows a grizzly bear with white claws, looking as though it had just returned from a pedicure.
The image was shared via Facebook along with photos of a lynx and a moose. (See post below or click here.)
Understandably, many followers were drawn to the grizzly bear image – mostly because of the size and color of its claws.
"The white claws on the bear are amazing!" reads one comment.
"The CLAWS! Wow! King of the woods!" reads another comment.
Grizzly bear claws typically include shades of black or brown. But in some cases they're much lighter. Bears with fully white claws, lacking a pigment called melanin, are uncommon.
From Alaska's Katmai National Park, referring to brown bears, or coastal grizzlies: "Claws can be various shades of black, brown, and occasionally bright white. This subtle feature can actually be a helpful tool for identifying individual bears." (Click on the Katmai link for images.)
From the North American Bear Center: "In rare cases grizzlies have been observed with white claws. These claws are used to dig up roots and bulbs of plants as well as to excavate den sites."
From Sailcone’s Grizzly Bear Lodge in British Columbia, Canada: "Brown bear claws are long and curved, ranging in color from yellow to brown. In rare cases grizzlies have been observed with white claws.
"The white claws are often seen on the grizzly bears we view on the wild river we visit on the extra day in the lodge."
In some locations, including Yellowstone National Park, bears have been nicknamed "White Claws.”
David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams told FTW Outdoors that his trail cameras have captured footage of two white-clawed grizzly bears recently.
Troup added: "I read it's simply a genetic variation with their melanin. The white color certainly makes them more vivid in their environment, and a little more intimidating too!"
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Grizzly bear with striking white claws spotted in Yukon wilderness
