Why do animals have such soft skin?

Question

Given the likelihood in nature of being attacked and wounded, how come they never came to have more hardened skin to prevent being penetrated so easily?

In: 48

Answer 1

Idk what these comments are talking about. Most animals have evolved thick hides because it is indeed an evolutionarily beneficial adaptation. This adaptation is most frequently exhibited in animals that are prey animals, and not hunting animals. Hunters need to be agile and nimble, while prey animals need the extra protection. Both sets of animals have evolved according to this difference in need.