How could a species have naturally developed metalic looking hair?
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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 Nov 10 at 15:25
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up vote
4
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 Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
2
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
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 Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
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 Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
asked Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
asked Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
asked Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
asked Nov 10 at 15:25
Incognito
3,93653655
3,93653655
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
2
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
2
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
2
2
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12
add a comment |
1 Answer
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up vote
14
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 Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
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 Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
add a comment |
up vote
14
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 Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
up vote
14
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 Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
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 Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
answered Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
answered Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
answered Nov 10 at 16:05
L.Dutch♦
69.7k22166335
69.7k22166335
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
Nov 10 at 15:43
2
Insects also have iridescent structures in their chitin bodies.
– fredsbend
Nov 10 at 21:12