7. Sweating
Return to History 8 Human Origins Concepts
The early hominoids travelled far in the pursuit of meat. This extra exertion in a relatively hot climate most likely was a major factor in a humans relative lack of body hair. It is very likely that hominoids chose to hunt during the hottest time of day when larger predators were sleeping. This tradition could have lead to the gradual shedding of body hair and increased dependence on sweating. The keep cool, humans sweat noticeably more than any other mammal. Most carnivores use panting to keep themselves cool. This is effective only to compensate short bursts of energy. Also, it would have lead to dangerous hyperventilation. However, this steady loss of body fluid confined hominids to areas where water was available. Humans cannot tolerate water loss of more than ten percent of their body weight. Accessible water became essential in hunting for hominoids.
Sources: History Manuel p.(22) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~choucc/The%20influence%20of%20the%20loss%20of%20functional%20body%20hair%20on%20the%20water%20budgets%20of%20early%20hominids.pdf
