What Makes A Polar Bear White? Exposing The White Fur Mystery

White polar bears are majestic creatures that we often associate with cold temperatures and their signature snowy white coats. But have you ever wondered what gives these amazing animals their unique color? If so, you’re not alone! In this article, we'll dive into the science of why polar bears are so remarkably white - and explore the fascinating role they play in our planet's fragile ecosystem. From how sunlight reflects off these powerful predators to how climate change is affecting them today, let's uncover some of nature's most enduring mysteries beginning with...what makes a polar bear white?

WHAT MAKES A POLAR BEAR WHITE?

Why polar bears are white? Polar bears are white all thanks to the way sunlight reflects off of their fur. The sunlight bounces back off of the polar bear’s thick coat, which makes its fur look white. Many of us are familiar with the image of a white polar bear. In reality, polar bear fur is actually translucent. This helps them blend in with their snowy Arctic environment and keeps them warm. Polar bears have natural oils that help keep the thick fur waterproof and prevent it from freezing when swimming or playing in icy waters. 

HOW FAR CAN POLAR BEARS SMELL? 

Polar bears have an impressive sense of smell that allows them to locate their prey from over a mile away when the wind is right! This remarkable ability provides them with an immense advantage when searching for food, and they will orient themselves to travel crosswind, ensuring they are picking up as many smells as possible. When they smell something good, they will turn to walk upwind until they find the source, which is hopefully something yummy. While their far-reaching sense of smell proves useful for finding prey it can also be helpful in avoiding other bears, which may be especially important for moms with young cubs. 

HOW FAST CAN POLAR BEARS RUN? 

Polar bears can be surprisingly quick! Even though males weigh anywhere between 775-1400 lbs (355-635 kg approximate), they have the remarkable ability to reach speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h) when running - faster than the fastest human! Polar bears' stocky build and long stride help them cover large areas quickly and efficiently. They are capable of sprinting for short bursts to catch prey, or to evade threats from hopeful hunters or curious onlookers, but can’t run for too long or else they may overheat. Although it isn't guaranteed that you'll ever see a polar bear in action on land, it's an amazing thing to witness how such majestic creatures utilize their powerful muscles for propulsion.

HOW ARE POLAR BEARS AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE? 

Polar bears are among the most vulnerable of all species when it comes to the effects of climate change. Their Arctic habitat has been warming at a rate up to four times as fast as other parts of the world and is causing dramatic changes in their environment and loss of sea ice. As sea ice continues to melt and shift, polar bear populations face decreased access to seals—their primary prey source—and disruption of their traditional patterns of migration, ultimately impacting their overall health and numbers. 

Help the polar bears by purchasing one of our polar bear tracking bracelets. A portion of all proceeds is donated to Polar Bears International, which specializes in polar bear research and works to protect wild polar bears. Your purchase will help their conservation, and secure a future for polar bears in a rapidly changing world.