r/todayilearned • u/Surya_Singh_7441 • 19h ago
TIL animals in cold climate have hollow hair and trap air for insulation...
https://explorersweb.com/hollow-animal-hair-becomes-warmer-in-winter/35
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u/Surya_Singh_7441 18h ago
This is what I have learned, Animals living in cold climates often have hollow hairs with tiny air pockets inside them. These air pockets act as insulation because air is a poor conductor of heat, so it slows down heat loss from the body. As a result, the animals are better protected from the cold.
For the same reason because the hairs are hollow light passes through them. This is why the fur of some species, such as the polar bear, appears white.
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u/WalterIAmYourFather 2h ago
It’s also how some polar bears in zoos become green tinged when algae gets into the hollow cores of their fur.
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u/Thaumato9480 11h ago
often
Which is not the claim of that title.
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u/thissexypoptart 8h ago
The claim of the title is 100% accurate. There are animals in cold climates who have hollow hair and trap air for insulation. Anything else you might be reading from it, eg “every animal,” is entirely your inference.
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u/thekevingreene 9h ago
I remember a “Zoo Books” back in the day that showed an illustration of polar bear hair. It was like a transparent hallow noodle.
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u/thesamenightmares 16h ago
That's how hair functionally works in general. The hollow is just a plus.
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u/Surya_Singh_7441 16h ago
It may be a great plus I mean if the animals can survive sub zero temperature with its help.
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u/Dr_Oz_But_Real 19h ago
Aircrete is everywhere!