Polar bears have a really dense underfur covered by an outer layer of guard hairs, which appears to be tan, but in reality it is transparent.
? Why do they seem white then?
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• The hair is made of a thick, hollow core that reflects light. As the light bounces on the space between hair, white gets reflected back and that’s why it seems white. As the polar bear grows old, the fur tends to turn green due to algae growing inside the hairs.
Some scientists have proposed that their transparent fur helps them absorb light. However, new studies have shown that this is not the case. Their hair simply helps them blend in to their snowy environment, allowing them to catch prey more easily.
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