A new theory proposes early humans evolved smooth skin compared to our furry ape cousins to show they were not infested with blood-sucking insects. Biting flies and other disease-carrying parasites live in fur. By shedding fur in favour of fire, shelter and clothing that humans controlled, hairlessness became cleaner than a permanent layer of fur, the researchers say.

The generally accepted reasoning for hairlessness has been that it evolved to control body temperature in hot climates. One problem with the climate theory is that being furless is an advantage when the sun is out, but it becomes a disadvantage at night, according to evolutionary biologists.

View: Full Article | Source: CBC News

The only thing is, we are not truly hairless, only one the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet do we not have hair.

The arms and legs, aswell as other body parts still have fur, only it is a lot less thicker and is now called hair by us, rather than fur.

I would guess that this was more a happy side effect than a reason to evolve in that way. If we evolved to make ourselves less likley to be prey, we would run fast and have a hard shell.


Oh yeah, that link points to a CBC article, not a CBS article.