Why Humans Lose Their Body Hair
A distinctive evolutionary feature of humans can be seen by the lack of hair on their bodies as compared to their primate relatives, the apes. Hair is an essential body covering for most mammals. According to The Naked Truth (2010), hair provides a means of insulation, protection, and can be used for camouflage. There are several arguments on why the ancestor’s of humans lost their body hair, which can ultimately be narrowed down to three popular theories. One theory suggested in The Naked Truth (2010) says that humans lost their fur in order to regulate their body temperature as they adapted to a new strenuous way of living. Another theory suggested by Nicholas Wade of New York Times (2003), says that humans lost their fur because of their
semi- aquatic lifestyle. The third theory suggested by K. Crain of Feed Your Brain (2015), says that humans lost their fur in order to become better mates. All three theories, however, are connected to the evolution of mankind to its environment. Mammals carefully regulate their core body temperatures in order to prevent damages done to their bodies. The Naked Truth (2010) explains that human ancestors lived in East and Central Africa around three million years ago at which time global cooling had occurred, which led humans to take on a more strenuous way of life once the resources around them dwindled. Humans began running and performing other energy demanding activities in order to find food and survive. Losing fur was an important aspect in how humans were able to effectively lose body heat. Steve Connor’s article in Independent News explains that by shedding their fur, the skin of human’s began producing more eccrine sweat glands, which aided greatly in cooling and maintaining a steady core temperature. Another theory suggested by the Scientific American (2012) was that humans lived a semi- aquatic lifestyle approximately six million to eight million years ago. This lifestyle was based off of foraging for food in shallow waters. Nicholas Wade of New York Times (2003) adds in the observation that humans have small webbing between their fingers and fur was shed in order improve their speed while hunting for food. Thick hair attracted parasites, which led to the spread of disease among species. Some of these parasites included lice, ticks, and fleas, which feasted on human blood. K. Crain of Feed Your Brain (2015) says that the shedding of hair led to a more healthy lifestyle, and became an attractive quality among mates. Bare skin was selected over the hairy skin and ultimately became the norm.
semi- aquatic lifestyle. The third theory suggested by K. Crain of Feed Your Brain (2015), says that humans lost their fur in order to become better mates. All three theories, however, are connected to the evolution of mankind to its environment. Mammals carefully regulate their core body temperatures in order to prevent damages done to their bodies. The Naked Truth (2010) explains that human ancestors lived in East and Central Africa around three million years ago at which time global cooling had occurred, which led humans to take on a more strenuous way of life once the resources around them dwindled. Humans began running and performing other energy demanding activities in order to find food and survive. Losing fur was an important aspect in how humans were able to effectively lose body heat. Steve Connor’s article in Independent News explains that by shedding their fur, the skin of human’s began producing more eccrine sweat glands, which aided greatly in cooling and maintaining a steady core temperature. Another theory suggested by the Scientific American (2012) was that humans lived a semi- aquatic lifestyle approximately six million to eight million years ago. This lifestyle was based off of foraging for food in shallow waters. Nicholas Wade of New York Times (2003) adds in the observation that humans have small webbing between their fingers and fur was shed in order improve their speed while hunting for food. Thick hair attracted parasites, which led to the spread of disease among species. Some of these parasites included lice, ticks, and fleas, which feasted on human blood. K. Crain of Feed Your Brain (2015) says that the shedding of hair led to a more healthy lifestyle, and became an attractive quality among mates. Bare skin was selected over the hairy skin and ultimately became the norm.