Considering the low levels of solar radiation available for heating in the subarctic winter?

Question

would a change of coat color from dark to white really be an advantage to an animal such as a snowshoe hare? Explain.

Answer 1

The tendency toward white in the arctic and sub arctic seems to be more related to prey and predator than to heat.  Notice that almost all animals living in cold climates are warm blooded and if they have enough food can maintain their heat.  But most prey are white in the snowy season and some of the predators also are white, or pale colored.  Both benefit by being camouflaged, prey to hide, and predators by sneaking closer before the attack.

The benefit of "cheaper " heat is overweighed by the danger of being hunted or hunting poorly.

Answer 2

ok this may get confusing quickly because it has to do with the color spectrum. well the color black actually obsorbs the light while white repels it. regardless the time of the year white will be colder than black. since black obsorbs the light that means more light will hit it then anything white.if you are inside a black vehicle you would get hotter quicker than if u were in a white vehicle regardless of the outside temp.