[Karen W. (OP)]

Well I was wondering  cause I am sitting here on my chair with goosebumps! So when animals get cold do they shiver or get goosebumps like me?

[paul.fr]

Yes, i think any animal with hair or feathers can get goosebumps.

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks Paul!  Why do you think that?

[paul.fr]

Thanks Paul!  Why do you think that?

will post more when i get home, karen. Just passing and its too much to tap on silly keypad, if thats ok?

[Karen W. (OP)]

Of course its ok.. I am going to eat also! see ya ..!

[paul.fr]

I suppose we should first start with what are goosebumps and why we have them. Goosebumps are caused when the muscles attached to the hair contract, this contraction raises the hair. Imagine you are squeezing the skin at the base of the hair, you form a sort of pit on either side and the hair is raised in the middle.
This phenomenon (do do be do do, phenomenon, do do de da)dates back to when we were covered in hair, and is used to insulate the skin. You increase the thickness of the hair which then traps more heat.

So, "do animals get goosebumps". Yes, if you take it that we have them because we used to be covered in hair, then all animals that are now covered in hair will also have goosebumps for the same reason as above. Not only that but they also use it when they are frightened or warning another animal off. Picture a cat with it's back arched and hair standing up, it is the same thing, but for a different reason.

I guess, birds also do this to insulate themselves.

Hope that helps?...hope that is right!

[Karen W. (OP)]

I don't understand how that increases the thickness of the hair...? I can understand that raising the hair up is done by the contraction of muscles which was stimulated by a cold breeze or even a cold thought  or by having to go to the bathroom cause .. But how does that thicken your hair.. raise it I get but how does it thicken it! Do your pours around the hair shaft try to close when the cold air hits them and is the closing of the pours in the cold what pushes up the hair and makes the goose bump..by contraction of muscles  I still do not get the process???

[paul.fr]

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=350.msg2141#msg2141

[paul.fr]

The individual hair does not become thicker, it's an overall thing...anyway, read what chris wrote in the above link.

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks Paul now I understand..

One more question what about goosebumps not from fear or cold, but from something really good. a good thought, or something so mushilly romantic and sweet it gives you goosebumps, Like when some one says something so special and so wonderful that every hair on your body stands up and the goosebumps spread rapidly across your skin? what causes that?

Even seeing someone do something really sweet for someone else gives me goose bumps a and so does hearing an incredible singer sing a great song..Yep gives me goosebumps and thats how I pick my music! LOL!

[kdlynn]

so is that why if you get goose bumps right after you shave your legs you have stubble immediately? hmmm

[Karen W. (OP)]

I have noticed that too! LOL