Full Idea
In QCD the particles that carry the strong force are called gluons. ...Gluons carry their own colour charges, so they can interact with each other (unlike photons) via the strong nuclear force (which limits the range of the force).
Gist of Idea
Gluons, the particles carrying the strong force, interact because of their colour charge
Source
New Scientist writers (Why the Universe Exists [2017], 02)
Book Reference
New Scientist writers: 'Why the Universe Exists' [John Murray 2017], p.27
A Reaction
So the force varies in strength with distance because the degree of separation among the spreading gluons varies? The force has one range, which is squashed when close, effective at medium, and loses touch with distance?