Why don't humans have fur?

Why don't humans have fur? David Trood/Getty Images Humans began to wear fur clothing as protection against the cold – but scientists still don't know exactly when this happened Evidence for this theory also comes from studies that have found switches for some genes responsible for determining whether certain cells develop into sweat glands or hair follicles. Kypros/Getty Images The hair on our heads remained when early humans lost their fur – likely as a protection from solar radiation Lasisi says that she wouldn't exclude the possibility of other factors contributing to fur loss. Pagel says he is inclined to believe this timeline is the most likely for the largest part of fur loss, although "no-one really knows" since hair rarely fossilises. Ton Koene/Getty Images Humans didn't re-evolve fur even when they moved to cold regions, suggesting a lack of fur conferred some advantage – or became canalised As for pubic and underarm hair Lasisi considers this could either be a so-called spandrel – a byproduct of the evolution of another characteristic – or potentially a leftover from primate ancestors that used pheromones to communicate with each other.