Polar bears have clear fur and black skin to stay warm in the Arctic

Nature
Polar bears have clear fur and black skin to stay warm in the Arctic

While they appear snow-white, polar bears actually possess jet-black skin and pigment-free fur that works like a high-tech solar heater to survive the brutal temperatures of the Arctic circle.

A polar bear's white coat is a clever optical illusion. Each hair is a transparent, hollow tube that reflects visible light, allowing the bear to blend perfectly into the ice and snow. Beneath this thick camouflage lies solid black skin designed to absorb the sun's warming ultraviolet rays.

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