What fur development can tell us about our ancient ancestors

By Ingmar Werneburg, Curator of the Palaeontological Collection, University of Tübingen

When the hot summer weather kicks in you may find yourself feeling concerned about furry pets and other animals we live close by to. But fur and hair are ancient adaptations that allowed human ancestors to develop more active lifestyles and varied diets.

All mammals have some kind of fur. It’s part of what sets us apart from other animal groups. Fur comes in all shapes and types, including as human hair. Its thermoregulation properties can tell us about how our ancestors’ lifestyles changed as they diverged from reptile-like animals, becoming more active hunters.

Mammals…

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