Why does a polar bear’s fur look white even though each hair is colorless?

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Jasper National Park: grizzly bear — bear Grizzly bear in Jasper National Park, western Alberta, Canada.

A polar bear’s fur appears white because of the way it interacts with light, rather than due to any pigment in the hair itself. Each individual hair shaft is transparent and hollow, which causes it to scatter and reflect sunlight in a manner similar to ice.1

This optical phenomenon creates the bear's characteristic white or yellowish appearance, providing essential camouflage within its Arctic habitat. Beyond its visual effect, the hollow structure of the hair serves a critical biological function by trapping air to provide insulation against extreme cold.1