Question

Why did our ancestors become mostly hairless?

Answer 1

Some theories to explain this phenomenon:

• Hairless skin would have been less hospitable to parasites such as lice and ticks, which would have been an essential consideration for early human populations.
• Loss of body hair allowed early humans to regulate their body temperature better, which would have been beneficial as early humans began to migrate out of Africa and into regions with a broader range of temperatures.
• The loss of body hair is related to social signaling, specifically sexual selection, meaning that hairless individuals were more attractive to potential mates and thus passed their hairless traits to future generations.
• The development of sweat glands on human skin allowed us to dissipate heat more efficiently and cool down, which would have been beneficial in hot climates.