why does a polar bear have white fur?

Answer 1

the fur is translucent despite its apparent white hue. The fur is good camouflage as well as insulation. Stiff hairs grow on the soles of its paws; these insulate and provide traction on ice.

Unlike other arctic mammals, polar bears never shed their coat for a darker shade in the summer. The fur absorbs ultraviolet light. The hair does not have fiber-optic properties nor does it transmit light or heat to the skin (an urban legend). The thick undercoat does however insulate the bears to the point where they overheat at temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F). It also renders them nearly invisible in the infrared; only their breath and muzzles can be seen. [14] Growing through the undercoat is a relatively sparse covering of hollow guard hairs about 6 inches long. These guard hairs are stiff, shiny and erect, and stop the undercoat from matting when wet. The water is then easily shaken off before it can freeze. The bear also rolls in snow to blot up moisture in the coat.

Answer 2

Actually, the polar bear’s fur is actually not white. It’s clear. It’s skin is black and the fur only seems white because the light reflecting on it. And it helps them in blending in well with its snow covered surroundings

Answer 3

Actually, the polar bear’s fur is actually not white. It’s clear. It’s skin is black and the fur only seems white because the light reflecting on it. And it helps them in blending in well with its snow covered surroundings

Answer 4

So that he will be hard for hunters (on either two or four legs) to spot against the snow. That's how evolution works. His ancestors were probably darker, and as they moved north, the bears with the lightest fur survived long enough to breed because of its value in camouflaging them. Eventually, the white ones were selected out of the gene pool and the rest were wolves dinners.

Answer 5

These bears are hunters. And they have to do that in a white envoronment.

Penguins have such 'suite', which help to be less noticed in the water (looking to its surface and from the fond).

Answer 6

for camoflauge in the arctic weather (polar bears dont live in the antarctic)

Answer 7

the fur is actually not white, it's clear but u see it as white because of the reflection.....

cool, huh?

Answer 8

so that we know its polar bear and not other bear

Answer 9

it's not white. the light is reflected and the tyndall effect explains its whitish color.

Answer 10

is it because its the best camouflage for a predator in snow?