Answers to Questions Kids Ask! - Where "Why?" Turns to "Wow!"
Born on this day
September 19, 20111931 - Brook Benton
1934 - Brian Epstein
1928 - Pete Murray
1933 - David McCallum
1940 - Zandra Rhodes
1940 - Bill Medley
1945 - Kate Adie
1946 - Michael Elphick
1948 - Jeremy Irons
1949 - Twiggy
1963 - David Seaman
Humans are mammals — just like cats, dogs, bats, elephants, monkeys and foxes. Ever notice that mammals are pretty hairy animals?
That’s because mammals have to stay warm — and having a a hairy fur coat helps. (Even though, depending upon what kind of mammal you are, you have to work hard to keep your fur coat clean!) A fur coat provides great insulation.
Additionally, if a mammal is scared, hair helps in looking big and fierce. For example, if a cat is scared, a muscle attached to the base of each hair can tug on it to make it stand on end. The result? The cat looks bigger, and with hair standing on end, scarier!
It’s unfortunate that humans just don’t have enough hair to be terribly useful. For the most part, hair ends up simply being something that makes for a good or bad hair day. However, hair IS responsible for goosebumps which occur when cold air or fright cause your hairs to stand upright making little bumps as they do. Cool, huh?
Link to this question!
Why do cats cough up hair balls?
Cats have two kinds of fur: a short undercoat and the longer hairs, which are called the overcoat. Humans have bred some cats to get outrageously long and fluffy furs….
Why do you get goosebumps on your body but not on your face?
Goosebumps are caused by smooth muscle that pulls on your hair follicles, causing indentation. Then you get that characteristic raised-and-lowered looking skin. The pulling makes the hairs stand up. We…
Why does your hair turn gray when you get older?
It’s hard to imagine that those lovely locks of blond or brunette hair on your head may someday change color so dramatically. But your hair doesn’t turn white from a…
What is the fastest land animal?
The cheetah is the fastest animal on land. A cheetah can run 46 miles per hour (76 kilometres per hour) – that’s pretty fast! Compared to the fastest humans who only runs about…
Do animals every help each other?
Many animals species have developed relationships with each other that benefit both species. Birds and mammal species love to eat the tasty fruits provided by trees. Even fish living in…