According to one theory, humans and monkeys have a common ancestor, from which primates originated. For example, why in this case are the monkeys different from humans in appearance? In particular, for what reason do they not have a beard and mustache? At the same time, a person has no coat on the body.
Why do monkeys need a thick coat?
In fact, monkeys have a mustache and beard, they are simply not visible in most species of these animals. The body of primates is completely covered with hair, so the facial hair does not catch the eye. However, there are some species in which the mustache and beard are more clearly visible. For example, a bearded monkey has a dark color, but on the cheeks and neck there is a long, thick coat of white color. She attracts attention and resembles a gray beard. The magnificent red beard is known for male orangutans.
If everything is very clear with the beard and mustache of the monkeys, then why then the human body does not have the same coat of hair? It turned out that he did. Since the time of the gradual evolution of man and the transformation into a rational creature, the body hair has not disappeared. Depending on the race, their total number varies. Interestingly, the number of hair follicles in humans and monkeys is on average the same. They are not so visible due to the small thickness and length. At the same time, chimpanzees and other species have thick and long hair.
Interesting fact: imperial tamarin and Chiropotes satanas are the most striking in appearance. The first monkey has a long white mustache, and the second has a neat black beard. Moreover, the presence of vegetation does not depend on the sex of the animal.
Monkeys prefer to live in a forested area, where you can quickly move from one place to another with the help of branches. Also, trees help them hide from predators, serve as an overnight stay. Heavy rains are a normal occurrence for the forest. Long and thick coat helps monkeys to protect themselves from water.
The influence of evolution on the human appearance
A man (Australopithecus) in the past left a forest area and moved to the savannah zone. This caused a lot of changes in appearance, physical parameters. Of course, the changes did not happen right away - it took hundreds of thousands of years. The weather conditions in the savannah were very different.
It rained infrequently, and instead, people had to face a rise in temperature. The body was faced with overheating problems and the body began to adapt to external conditions.
The easiest way to quickly cool is sweating. The presence of a dense coat of wool would greatly interfere with these processes. Thus, global changes began in the body - the number of sweat glands increased, and the hair became shorter and thinner. Why do people still have thick and long hair on their heads? Because their presence helped protect the head, in particular the brain, from the high temperature of sunlight.
Another reason for the loss of wool is the transition to an upright lifestyle. Moving on two limbs also increased the heating of the body and contributed to an increase in the number of sweat glands.
Interesting fact: under the burning sun, skin without thick hair was exposed to a new danger - burns. However, the body quickly reacted and began to produce melanin in large quantities. Thanks to this pigment, the skin of ancient people has acquired a dark complexion.
An additional question arises: if during the evolution of the coat disappeared, why did the hair remain in the armpits, and in men - the mustache and beard? Everything is quite simply explained by the physiology of the human body, namely - pheromones. These are substances that the body secretes not only animals, but also people. They are meant for communication. A special organ in the brain recognizes pheromones, activates the sense of smell. After that, smells are recognized and the person experiences certain emotions. The presence of hair in the armpits is designed to hold these pheromones on the body for as long as possible.
As for the mustache and beard in men, they, like the hair on the head, are designed to be protected from sunlight. In women, they are absent due to the hormonal characteristics of the body.
All monkeys, regardless of species and gender, have a mustache and beard. They are hardly noticeable due to the dense wool coat throughout the body. Some species are distinguished by particularly striking elements of appearance. People have as many follicles as monkeys, but their hair is thinner and shorter.Changes in the hairline of ancient people occurred due to the transition to the savannah zone with a hot climate.
