Why Do We Have Pubic Hair But Other Animals, Like Elephants, Don't?

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Why do humans have pubic hair, when other “hairless” mammals, like pigs and elephants, manage without it?

Tony Cooke Gunning, New South Wales, Australia

I think humans have pubic hair because of the structure of the human pelvis and the position of the genitals: people’s thighs tend to rub together when they walk. Pubic hair reduces the friction between the skin surfaces that would otherwise chafe.

This becomes apparent if you remove some of your pubic hair. A small reduction in pubic hair will result in the skin of the groin sticking together, particularly in warmer weather. The same idea…

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