Hair vs. Fur
What is Difference between Hair and Fur? If someone ask you what you have hair or fur? Maybe because of the habit or because it is easier to say “hair” (which is the correct answer), but what you may not know to explain is why your hair is not called fur. Some people do not know the difference between hair and fur, in some cases even believe that it is the same; but then we explain what makes the difference between the two.
Note: scientifically there is no difference between hair and fur, the distinction we make here is based on the common use of words.
Difference between Hair and Fur
Hair
It is an extension made of proteins and found only in mammals. The primary extension of hair or hair fibers is keratin and this is a protein. In addition to this, among the hair compounds we can also find polymers and amino acids.
The hair is projected from the epidermis, although it grows in the hair follicles that are located deeper in the dermis. Likewise, it tends to grow independently and its growth does not stop. In spite of everything, the most notable difference between hair and fur is that the first corresponds to humans; while the second is present in animals.
Fur
Although more than one is confused and calls hair the hair of some animals, such as horses, the truth is that this is not the right thing to do. The coat is a thick and often soft coat that covers the skin of some non-human mammals, as in the case of wolves, foxes and beavers.
Unlike human hair, the coat growth pattern is usually more synchronized and slows down when it reaches a certain length. In the case of animals, the nucleus of the hair follicles allows the coat of fur to provide excellent insulation not only of heat and cold, but also that it serves to protect against rain.
Another important difference has to do with composition. In the case of humans, the composition of hair in general is usually the same, which is why it has the same texture; while the fur of the animals tends to have double composition. Finally, the use that is given to human hair or hair is different from that given to the fur of animals. Human hair is used to make wigs and to extract some substances used in the preparation of conditioners and other products.
Animal fur, on the other hand, is normally used in the production of clothing, costumes, brooms, weaving threads, among other things. Anyhow, the key difference between hair and fur is: Usually the word hair is used to refer to human hair and fur to that of animals.
