What is the dark line that pregnant women get that goes from their belly button to their pubic region, why do they get it, and when/why does it disappear?

Question

Do other animals also get this line or is it just humans?

In: Biology

Answer 1

To add to what everyone else has said, the Linea nigra need not appear only during pregnancy. Since it’s caused by a hormone, people with hormone imbalances, or diseases like PCOS, can also get it. Also, people with darker skin (like SE Asians or Africans), are more prone to it, because their skin naturally contains more melanin. Adolescents can also get it, because of the swirl of hormones that occur during puberty.