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Fur

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A close-up view showing different types of hairs found in a domestic cat's fur, including down hairs, awn hairs, and a guard hair.

Fur is the soft, cozy covering that keeps most animals warm and safe. It is made of tiny hairs that grow all over an animal’s skin. Just like your hair on your head, an animal’s fur helps protect it and keep it comfy.

Many animals, like grizzly bears, have thick fur that keeps them warm in cold places. Fur can be different colors, helping animals blend in with their homes. Some animals even change their fur color with the seasons!

Fur has special layers. The top layer, called guard hair, keeps rain away and helps hide the animal. The bottom layer, called underfur, traps warm air to keep the animal snug. Together, these layers make fur a great shield for animals everywhere.

Images

Close-up of Virginia Opossum fur displayed at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
A majestic male leopard resting in Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
A computer-generated image showing realistic wet fur, created using special software.
Portrait of Carl Ben Eielson, a pioneering American pilot and Arctic explorer, wearing traditional fur clothing from the late 1920s.

Related articles

Skin
Hair

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Fur, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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