2006-12-22 23:48:11 · 14 answers · asked by Andrew V 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
It changes to it's surroundings I think, but it "sprouts" white hair.
EDIT
I just got this from Wikipedia
A polar bear's nose and skin are black and 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. In July 2005, several polar bears in the Brookfield Zoo turned green as a result of algae growing in their hollow guard hair tubes.
2006-12-22 23:49:20 · answer #1 · answered by uk_lad_2003 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A polar bear's nose and skin are black and 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. It was originally hypothesized that the hollow hairs of a polar bear coat acted as fiber optic tubes to conduct light to the black polar bear skin, where it could be absorbed. However, a number of recent studies have demonstrated that this is not true[13]. This thick undercoat does, however, insulate the bears to the point where they overheat at temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F) and are nearly invisible under infrared photography; only their breath and muzzles can be seen.[9] 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. Water is easily shaken off before it can freeze. The bear also rolls in snow to shed moisture from the coat.
2006-12-23 07:50:56 · answer #2 · answered by kalms 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White colour.
2006-12-23 07:54:43 · answer #3 · answered by Cutebunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is actually white with a yellow tinge in places.
2006-12-23 07:51:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fur is actually clear
2006-12-23 07:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by kay.kay_wuv_alper 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
white
2006-12-23 07:59:14 · answer #6 · answered by dream theatre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks a bit white dont ya think
2006-12-23 07:50:00 · answer #7 · answered by dean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ha u sed sprout
2006-12-23 07:57:04 · answer #8 · answered by RWIZ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
transparent (clear) but it looks white (and the thing i dont get is that they have black skin), and don't ask me why
2006-12-23 07:54:50 · answer #9 · answered by Des 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
their fur is clear and their skin is black
2006-12-23 08:01:36 · answer #10 · answered by StephE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋