How could a species have naturally developed metalic looking hair?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
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The key idea in the concept of metallic hair color is the word “metal.” Metal is shiny. Metal is iridescent. Metals come in a range of finishes from warm gold to icy silver. Metallic hair colors, at their best, are dimensional, dazzling tones that shine like platinum, and make it look more exotic.
How could this have developed naturally in our species?
science-based biology
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
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up vote
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The key idea in the concept of metallic hair color is the word “metal.” Metal is shiny. Metal is iridescent. Metals come in a range of finishes from warm gold to icy silver. Metallic hair colors, at their best, are dimensional, dazzling tones that shine like platinum, and make it look more exotic.
How could this have developed naturally in our species?
science-based biology
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
2
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
1
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
The key idea in the concept of metallic hair color is the word “metal.” Metal is shiny. Metal is iridescent. Metals come in a range of finishes from warm gold to icy silver. Metallic hair colors, at their best, are dimensional, dazzling tones that shine like platinum, and make it look more exotic.
How could this have developed naturally in our species?
science-based biology
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
The key idea in the concept of metallic hair color is the word “metal.” Metal is shiny. Metal is iridescent. Metals come in a range of finishes from warm gold to icy silver. Metallic hair colors, at their best, are dimensional, dazzling tones that shine like platinum, and make it look more exotic.
How could this have developed naturally in our species?
science-based biology
science-based biology
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
asked 7 hours ago
Incognito
3,72053351
3,72053351
2
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
1
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
1
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago
2
2
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
1
1
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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They just need to have the keratin (or whatever molecule they use to make up their hair) arranged in such a way that it creates a diffractive grating.
In such a way the diffracted light will give the hair an iridescent appearance, in the same way some birds have their metallic and iridescent appearance.
Since exhibiting such features requires good fitness (to keep the feather/hair in good conditions), it could have plausibly evolved as a way of display physical fitness and attract the female during the mating ritual.
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
10
down vote
They just need to have the keratin (or whatever molecule they use to make up their hair) arranged in such a way that it creates a diffractive grating.
In such a way the diffracted light will give the hair an iridescent appearance, in the same way some birds have their metallic and iridescent appearance.
Since exhibiting such features requires good fitness (to keep the feather/hair in good conditions), it could have plausibly evolved as a way of display physical fitness and attract the female during the mating ritual.
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
They just need to have the keratin (or whatever molecule they use to make up their hair) arranged in such a way that it creates a diffractive grating.
In such a way the diffracted light will give the hair an iridescent appearance, in the same way some birds have their metallic and iridescent appearance.
Since exhibiting such features requires good fitness (to keep the feather/hair in good conditions), it could have plausibly evolved as a way of display physical fitness and attract the female during the mating ritual.
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
They just need to have the keratin (or whatever molecule they use to make up their hair) arranged in such a way that it creates a diffractive grating.
In such a way the diffracted light will give the hair an iridescent appearance, in the same way some birds have their metallic and iridescent appearance.
Since exhibiting such features requires good fitness (to keep the feather/hair in good conditions), it could have plausibly evolved as a way of display physical fitness and attract the female during the mating ritual.
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
They just need to have the keratin (or whatever molecule they use to make up their hair) arranged in such a way that it creates a diffractive grating.
In such a way the diffracted light will give the hair an iridescent appearance, in the same way some birds have their metallic and iridescent appearance.
Since exhibiting such features requires good fitness (to keep the feather/hair in good conditions), it could have plausibly evolved as a way of display physical fitness and attract the female during the mating ritual.
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
answered 6 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
67.8k20162320
67.8k20162320
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
I don't know about iridescent hair or fur, but many birds have iridescent feathers, so presumably iridescent hair might have features in common with iridescent feathers.
– M. A. Golding
6 hours ago
1
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
1 hour ago