A fur is a soft, thick growth of hair that covers the skin of almost all mammals. It consists of a combination of oily guard hair on top and thick underfur beneath. The guard hair keeps moisture from reaching the skin; the underfur acts as an insulating blanket that keeps the animal warm. [1]
fur, fine, soft, hairy covering or coat of mammals that has been important to humankind throughout history, chiefly for warmth but also for decorative and other purposes.
Animals with fur include Beaver, Black Bear, Caribou, Chinchilla, and Coyote. The three main types of fur are guard hairs, underfur, and apocrine sweat glands (which produce oily secretions).
Fur is made up of keratin and contains multiple layers (down hairs and guard hairs) that can trap heat, create a water-resistant surface, protect skin from UV rays, and can help camouflage animals to their habitats.
Yahoo: Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur
Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur
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