Does poler bear hair conduct light and therefore heat?

Answer 1

Yes.

Interestingly a polar bears hair is not white but colourless, it appears white just as glass wool appears white. Being transparent the hairs conduct light just as fiber optics do, therefore sunlight is applied directly to the polar bears skin (which is actually black) and is absorbed there. In this way a polar bears fur both insulates it and conducts heat to it in the form of diverted sunlight.

Answer 2

Polar bear hair is actually not transparent like some other animals, so it does not conduct light. However, polar bear hair is hollow, which helps to trap heat and provide insulation for the animal in cold Arctic environments. The hollow structure of the hair also allows it to appear white and provide camouflage in the snow.