Differences Between Fur and Hair

There is not much difference between hair and fur. Both are made up of the same materials, primarily keratin. Hair and fur are formed in the same way, created from a hair follicle located in the skin. The primary differences between fur and hair concern usage, core structures, thickness and growth cycle.

  1. Definitions of Hair and Fur

    • The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "hair" as a "slender thread-like outgrowth of the epidermis of an animal" and defines "fur" as "the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft and thick." The words "hair" and "fur" are offered as synonyms, and the synonymous nature of the words are borne out by the definitions.

    Use of the Terms/Context

    • Context determines when the term "hair" vs. "fur" is used. The word "hair" is almost always used to describe the fur on humans. The word "fur" is used to describe the hair on other mammals such as dogs and cats. However, the fur in a dog or cat's ears is most commonly called "hair."

    Core Structure

    • The medulla is a group of cells in the core of a hair or fur fiber. The structure is filled with air. It is usually absent in human hair but may occasionally be found in human hair fibers. Fur fibers always have a medulla. When found in human hair, the medulla does not have a well-defined structure; it is usually fragmented. The medulla in fur fibers is a well-defined structure. The medulla in animal fur plays a highly important role in regulating body temperature in animals.

    Thickness

    • The fibers of fur are thicker than those of hair. Thickness of hair and fur fibers is widely variable. The thickness of a porcupine's quill, which is a fur fiber, is very thick, while the thickness of a human hair is comparatively quite thin.

    Growth Cycle

    • Each fiber of human hair grows independently of the other hair fibers. The growth of fur fibers is synchronized. Fur fibers grow at the same time and fall out at the same time, giving rise to the circumstance of molting. It is due to synchronized growth and loss of hair that we speak of animals' getting or losing their winter or summer coats.