Judy Wearing explores human hair evolution in new book
Author Judy Wearing discusses her research on the evolutionary purpose of body hair in her new publication Anxious and Hairy.
Origins of mammal fur
Hair first appeared approximately 245 million years ago with cynodonts, which were warm-blooded reptilian ancestors of mammals. These early animals developed fur primarily for insulation to prevent heat loss from their bodies. Fossil evidence indicates that some species also possessed whiskers used for sensitive tactile input.
Modern human hair mysteries
Wearing investigated the specific functions of armpit and pubic hair after published literature offered no clear answers. She questions whether these patches evolved for warmth, protection, or other biological purposes that remain unsolved. The author notes that many questions regarding human hair have not yet been examined by researchers.
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