Big Picture Science – Monster Mashup: Donald Prothero

The bit about yetis in American culture being pale in colour (or color) is interesting, when you consider that even in comparatively similar cultures (such as Britain), the yeti still tends to be dark. The version from Doctor Who being a case in point.

I expect the reason is very simple: Bigfoot. Particularly when used for merchandising purposes, the yeti somehow had to become distinguishable from America’s own hairy cryptic ape, and an obvious way to do that is to evolve a paler fur coat.

In countries where there isn’t as much competition from competing hairy cryptic apes, there’s no need for this cultural niche adaptation, and so the yeti remains dark.