What Is a Kermode Bear?
The Kermode bear is a subspecies of the black bear that is only found in parts of western Canada, particularly on Princess Royal Island. These bears are especially noted for a rare gene they carry which allows some of them to have a white color. Even in the Kermode population, the white coloring is rare, but it is the most well-known aspect of the Kermode bear sub-species. The coloring has also resulted in the nickname “ghost bear,” and there are several myths and legends surrounding them. Only approximately 10% of the Kermode bear population carries the gene, and many of those don’t actually have the white coloring. Most Kermode bears look the same as regular black bears, although they can also have red, gray or yellow coloration. In order for a white bear to occur, two individual animals that carry the gene have to mate. Unlike many other species that have white hair, the Kermode bears are not considered albinos, because their nose and eye color isn’t affected.
