Fussing about the Difference between Hair and Fur

Zebra
Camel
Goat
Mouse
Fox
Rabbit
Leopard
Hippopotamus
Cow
Giraffe
Deer
Lion
Tiger
Cat
Dog
Buffalo
Squirrel
Monkey


Which ones have fur? and Which ones have hair?


Here are the answers from a kiddie science workbook:


Animals with hair:


Zebra
Camel
Goat
Hippopotamus
Cow
Buffalo
Giraffe
Deer
Monkey


Biologically, hair and fur are made up of the same substance, keratin. Theories on their differences are arranged according to my personal preference from top to bottom:

1. Let's discard the term 'fur' for a minute and talk about hair. There are two types of hair :

*Primary hair which is longer and coarser to protect the mammal's skin.

*Secondary hair which is fluffy to repel water and regulate body temperature.

Some animals have both primary and secondary hair. E.g. the polar bear. They are considered ' furry'.

Some animals have only primary hair. E.g. us humans and horses.

I like this theory because it clears the confusion about the male lion's mane and the horse's mane.


2. What about whiskers? Whiskers are defined scientifically as hairs that work as sensory receptors.


Let's bring out the lion. As a member of the cat family, the lion is obviously furry. The male's mane is hair. The whiskers are hair. So, is it scientifically correct to say that the lion is an animal with fur? Or an animal with fur and hair?



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I dedicate this entry to the arbitrary mind that the Malaysian education system has allowed to slaughter our children's thinking ability.