I’ve noticed that when I’m really cold or sometimes when I’m scared, I get these tiny bumps all over my skin, which I think are called goosebumps. Why does this happen? What’s the biological reason behind it?
In: Biology
Goose bumps are a vestigial feature in humans.
Vestigial means they used to have a purpose, but don’t anymore.
Goose bumps had a purpose in humans when we were much hairer than we are now. When we were cold, it would puff up our hair to give us a thicker layer of insulation from the cold.
When we were scared it would puff us up and make us look bigger and more intimidating. Just like how cats get puffier when they’re frightened.
Now we don’t have enough hair for it to do anything useful, but the reflex still remains because it’s not harmful so we don’t evolve out of it.
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