Fur vs. Hair: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Fur is a dense coat of fine, soft hairs on animals; Hair is the individual strands growing from the skin, primarily in mammals.
Key Differences
Fur refers to a thick growth of hair covering the skin of many animals, typically mammals. It's designed for insulation and protection. In contrast, Hair can be found on almost all mammals but varies significantly in density, length, and purpose, such as on humans where it serves less for insulation and more for protection or sensory functions.
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Dec 13, 2023
Fur is usually shorter, denser, and softer, providing animals with warmth and camouflage. It's a defining characteristic of animals like rabbits and bears. Hair, on the other hand, can be long or short, thick or thin, and varies greatly among species and individuals, like human head hair or horse manes.
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Dec 13, 2023
In terms of growth, fur typically has a consistent growth cycle that results in a uniform length, aiding in an animal's thermoregulation. Hair growth varies; for example, human hair grows continuously and can achieve great lengths.
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Dec 13, 2023
When discussing grooming, fur often requires different care, such as seasonal shedding in many animals. Hair in humans and some animals, like horses, can require regular cutting, styling, or grooming.
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Dec 13, 2023
The terminology also differs in cultural and commercial contexts; fur is often associated with the pelts of animals used in fashion, whereas hair is associated with beauty and personal grooming in humans.
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Dec 13, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Dense coat of soft hairs on animals
Individual strands growing from the skin
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Texture & Length
Shorter, denser, and softer
Varies greatly in length and density
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Growth Cycle
Uniform length due to consistent cycle
Continuous growth, varied lengths
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Cultural Context
Associated with animal pelts in fashion
Linked to human beauty and grooming
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Fur and Hair Definitions
Fur
Animal hair used in the fashion industry for garments.
Her coat was made of luxurious fox fur.
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Hair
Protein filament growing from the skin of mammals.
Her hair was long and wavy.
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Fur
A dense, protective coat on mammals for insulation.
Polar bears have thick fur to protect them from the cold.
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Hair
A key aspect of human beauty and grooming.
She spends a lot of time caring for her hair.
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Hair
Any of the cylindrical, keratinized, often pigmented filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal.
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Fur
The hair-covered, dressed pelt of such a mammal, used in making garments and as trimming or decoration.
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Hair
A growth of such filaments, as that forming the coat of an animal or covering the scalp of a human.
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Hair
A filamentous projection or bristle similar to a hair, such as a seta of an arthropod or an epidermal process of a plant.
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Hair
(countable) A pigmented filament of keratin which grows from a follicle on the skin of humans and other mammals.
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Hair
(uncountable) The collection or mass of such growths growing from the skin of humans and animals, and forming a covering for a part of the head or for any part or the whole body.
In the western world, women usually have long hair while men usually have short hair.
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Fur
The hairy coat of various mammal species, especially when fine, soft and thick.
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Hair
A slender outgrowth from the chitinous cuticle of insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Such hairs are totally unlike those of vertebrates in structure, composition, and mode of growth.
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Hair
A cellular outgrowth of the epidermis, consisting of one or of several cells, whether pointed, hooked, knobbed, or stellated.
Internal hairs occur in the flower stalk of the yellow frog lily (Nuphar).
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Hair
(countable) Any slender, flexible outgrowth, filament, or fiber growing or projecting from the surface of an object or organism.
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Hair
A locking spring or other safety device in the lock of a rifle, etc., capable of being released by a slight pressure on a hair-trigger.
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Hair
(countable) Any very small distance, or degree; a hairbreadth.
Just a little louder please—turn that knob a hair to the right.
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Fur
The deposit formed on the interior of boilers and other vessels by hard water.
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Fur
Rabbits and hares, as opposed to partridges and pheasants (called feathers).
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Hair
The collection or mass of filaments growing from the skin of an animal, and forming a covering for a part of the head or for any part or the whole of the body.
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Hair
One the above-mentioned filaments, consisting, in vertebrate animals, of a long, tubular part which is free and flexible, and a bulbous root imbedded in the skin.
Then read he me how Sampson lost his hairs.
And draweth new delights with hoary hairs.
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Hair
Hair (human or animal) used for various purposes; as, hair for stuffing cushions.
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Hair
A slender outgrowth from the chitinous cuticle of insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Such hairs are totally unlike those of vertebrates in structure, composition, and mode of growth.
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Hair
An outgrowth of the epidermis, consisting of one or of several cells, whether pointed, hooked, knobbed, or stellated. Internal hairs occur in the flower stalk of the yellow frog lily (Nuphar).
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Fur
The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals, growing thick on the skin, and distinguished from the hair, which is longer and coarser.
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Fur
The skins of certain wild animals with the fur; peltry; as, a cargo of furs.
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Fur
Strips of dressed skins with fur, used on garments for warmth or for ornament.
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Hair
Dense growth of hairs covering the body or parts of it (as on the human head); helps prevent heat loss;
He combed his hair
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Fur
Articles of clothing made of fur; as, a set of furs for a lady (a collar, tippet, or cape, muff, etc.).
Wrapped up in my furs.
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Hair
A very small distance or space;
They escaped by a hair's-breadth
They lost the election by a whisker
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Fur
One of several patterns or diapers used as tinctures. There are nine in all, or, according to some writers, only six.
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Hair
Any of the cylindrical filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal;
There is a hair in my soup
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Fur
Of or pertaining to furs; bearing or made of fur; as, a fur cap; the fur trade.
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Hair
Cloth woven from horsehair or camelhair; used for upholstery or stiffening in garments
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Hair
Human head covering that varies in color, texture, and length.
He styled his hair neatly for the interview.
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Fur
To nail small strips of board or larger scantling upon, in order to make a level surface for lathing or boarding, or to provide for a space or interval back of the plastered or boarded surface, as inside an outer wall, by way of protection against damp.
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Hair
Strand-like growth that can be styled or cut.
She cut her hair short for the summer.
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Hair
Serves various functions like sensory input and protection.
Eyelashes are hair that helps protect our eyes.
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Fur
Dense coat of fine silky hairs on mammals (e.g., cat or seal or weasel)
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Fur
Thick, soft hair covering the skin of animals.
The rabbit's fur was incredibly soft and dense.
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Fur
Soft, fine hair covering the bodies of certain animals.
The kitten's fur was silky and smooth.
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Fur
Animal hair that is often shed seasonally.
The dog's fur thickens during winter.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can fur be long like hair?
It's generally shorter and denser than most human hair.
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Dec 13, 2023
Do all animals have fur?
No, only certain mammals have a coat termed as fur.
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Is hair only on the head of humans?
No, it grows on various parts of the human body.
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Do animals groom their fur?
Yes, many animals groom their fur for cleanliness and health.
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Why do people cut their hair?
For aesthetic, hygiene, and practical reasons.
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Is human hair considered fur?
Not typically; human hair has different characteristics and functions.
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Are there ethical concerns related to fur production?
Yes, fur production can raise ethical concerns due to issues related to animal welfare. Some people advocate for alternatives to real fur.
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Is fur shedding a common phenomenon in animals?
Yes, many animals with fur undergo seasonal shedding or molting to replace old fur with new growth.
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Are there different types of hair, such as body hair and head hair?
Yes, humans have various types of hair, including body hair, head hair, and facial hair, each with its own characteristics.
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Can hair be used for making wigs and extensions?
Yes, human hair is commonly used for making wigs, extensions, and hairpieces.
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Can certain medical conditions cause hair loss?
Yes, conditions like alopecia and hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss in humans.
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How is fur different from leather?
Fur is made from the animal's hair, while leather is produced from the animal's skin.
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Is fur color uniform among animals of the same species?
No, fur color can vary among animals of the same species due to genetics and environmental factors.
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Is hair composed of a protein called keratin?
Yes, hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin, which is also found in nails and the outer layer of skin.
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Dec 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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