It is not only the black skin that keeps the bear warm in fact there is a dense layer of fat beneath the skin which measures 4.5 inches thick. Bears are insulated with two layers of fur and a thick layer of body fat. They do not need to adapt to different color backgrounds like a chameleon does. However these fats do not prevent heat loss in polar bears as they swim in the icy cold water. It enables them to eat the blubber of the seals that they catch which is the most energy rich and abundant part of the seal. A polar bear has a layer of fat under its skin which helps it stay warm. Two genes that are known to influence melanin production, LYST and AIM1, are both mutated in polar bears, possibly leading to the absence on this pigment in their fur. Perhaps the most surprising thing about polar bears? To learn more about how polar bear’s bodies adjust to their climate, see physical characteristics. How does a polar bear keep warm? In a bright sunny day in the Arctic the polar bear’s fur looks white and clean. Adaptation. It happens because the fur … Polar bear’s black skin is visible. While the powerful paddle-like feet provides absolute support to the body weight dense fur, specialized teeth, and sharp nose facilitates the bear in swimming, eating, and smelling respectively. What Color is a Polar Bears Fur? However these fats do not prevent heat loss in polar bears as they swim in the icy cold water. Polar bears are covered with white fur. If someone asked you what color a polar bear's fur is, you would probably say white, but that's not quite accurate. But wild polar bear fur can still change color to yellow, thanks to oils from their prey that stain the fur. Let us discuss then how do polar bears adapt to their environment. Their white fur helps them blend in with the snow and ice. Polar Bear Adaptations Adaptation is the key to survival, and adaptations of the polar bear, which help it survive the harsh environment of Arctic tundra, are undoubtedly the best when it … Polar Bears. A polar bear lives in the cold, snowy Arctic lands. Image Courtesy: World Wildlife Fund Polar Bear Skin Color – What Color are Polar Bears? The polar bear's life cycle is closely tied to sea ice. How has a polar bear adapted to its Arctic environment? Polar bears have surprisingly black skin which is visible when the bear loses hair possibly due to some disease. They are the largest land carnivores. Polar bear fur is made up of a dense, insulating underfur that is topped by guard hairs that vary in length. Why are polar bears white? It is not only the black skin that keeps the bear warm in fact there is a dense layer of fat beneath the skin which measures 4.5 inches thick. Polar bears rely on the ice to travel, hunt seals, breed, and in some cases, den. The color of polar bear's fur changes annually; during the winter, after the summer molt, polar bear's fur appears pure white, whereas, during the summer its fur seems to have a yellow tint to it.