Albino Polar bears?

Question

I have heard that polar bears' skins aren't white; it's black. The fur looks white because the hair strands are clear and the light shining through it makes it look white.
So supposing there is an albino polar bear, with white skin- would that make any difference in the fur color??
Just wondering.

O_O Yellow? Never knew that.

Answer 1

Great question ATWolf!

First of all, yes, the polar bears have black skin under their fur. The fur "appears" to be white because the bear has dense, coarse, colorless hair all over its body to protect it from the Arctic cold.

You know, black absorbs heat & light while white reflects it all. So, what do you think a polar bear would want? Reflect all the heat and die in the cold OR absorb the heat and enjoy the Arctic life?

Yup! You guessed it right! The black skin and the fat deposited under it (the fat is gained by eating a lot of seals in the winter) act as a protection from the bone-chilling cold environment.

So, now, let us come to your main question: "What difference would be observed on the fur of a bear that has light skin due to albinism?"

First of all, the bear would die. Black skin is absolutely necessary for absorbing the scarce light and heat available to survive in the Arctic cold .

Second of all, the "dead" albino bear would have shiny white fur.

As all the polar bears have colorless hair, no matter what might be the color of their skin, the light would be scattered by the hair *before* reaching their skin and would appear mostly white.

P.S.
Also, may I add a note to the guy who said that the bears have yellow fur: Bears have translucent fur which appears white in full light and a little yellowish when they are stained (they have to go in the water to catch fish sometimes; being carnivorous). Also, their background is dazzling white snow which makes them look less white.

Answer 2

yes the fur would probably be completely see through and you could see the polars bears skin.

Answer 3

People haven't discovered ALBINO, polar bears, but there has been some occasions where they come in yellow.

Answer 4

What?!!!!!!