Nature · 2
According to researchers, why do Arctic hares keep the tips of their ears black rather than white in winter?
Answer
The black tips absorb solar radiation to help the hare survive extreme cold
The dark pigment at the ear tips absorbs sunlight, generating a small amount of extra heat in an area with thin skin and little fur, helping the hare cope with frigid temperatures.
💡 Did you know?
Arctic hares turn white in winter, but their ear tips stay black—not for warmth, but to absorb solar radiation for survival.
Other options people guess
- The black tips improve the hare's hearing sensitivity
- The black tips help hares visually identify each other from a distance
- The black tips make the ears blend in with dark rocky outcrops
Topics
- camouflage
- arctic-animals
- thermoregulation
- adaptation
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