Why Do Mammals Have Fur or Hair?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do mammals have fur or hair?

The Big Idea

Mammals have fur or hair because it works like a built-in blanket! Hair traps a layer of air next to the skin, which keeps body heat in. Some animals grow thick coats, and some grow thin ones, depending on where they live.

Trap Air

Step one: trap the air. Tiny spaces between the hairs hold still air. Still air is a great insulator, so heat stays near the skin when nights get cold.

Block Sun and Bugs

Step two: protect the skin. A coat also helps shade the skin from the Sun and keeps many tiny biting bugs away. Whiskers and some hairs even help animals feel the world around them.

Fit the Home

Step three: match the place. Animals in freezing places grow thick, fluffy coats, while animals in hot places have thin coats or almost none. Many animals even swap thick winter fur for a light summer coat.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, a fur coat is made of thousands of tiny hairs. Between the hairs, a layer of air gets trapped. That air keeps the skin warm. Thick, thin, or fluffy, each coat fits the animal's home.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Every mammal has some hair, even whales and dolphins. Your hair is the same kind of material as a dog's fur. It is made of keratin, just like your fingernails. Look at fox photos online with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, find a winter photo of a fox online. Then find a summer photo of a fox. Compare how thick the two coats look. Why do you think the coats are different?

Outro

Fur is a built-in blanket for keeping warm and safe. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!