Why can humans grow long head hair but other primates can't?

Question

There are several theories I have read about but I am interested to find out what you guys think.

Answer 1

http://meghiref.com/wp-content/uploads/2...

http://www.bfotos.com/albums/animales/or...

What'you talkin' 'bout, Willis? Some other primates grow a mighty fine mane of long head-hair!

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/barnard/biol...

Answer 2

David,

We can't all grow long hair on our heads, I can't, it grows round the side and at the back of my head, but it will not grow on the top.

It does grow up the nose, and around the ears,but when you get older this happens!

Primates have evolved, just as we humans have, and habitat plays a significant part in this, have you read Charles Darwin, you may find answers  there  

Answer 3

Other animals get their haircut "secretly" when no one is looking. ;-)

Answer 4

You have to ask the question what advantage does long head hair give an animal. The answer is none. Therefore evolution naturally selects against this trait. Human beings, however had many other advantages which allowed them to still grow long hair.

Answer 5

hmmm i think i should probably give you a star too. I have thought about this too, all i can think of is that it keeps your head warm.

but can you give links or books on where you heard other theories?

id star you if you diiid :D

Answer 6

I can't.

Answer 7

Just a guess: a sexually selected feature, like our prominent red lips.

Answer 8

Just a theory: long hair is better at keeping the head warm, so when humans migrated from Africa into colder regions, hair on their heads became longer.

Answer 9

well dogs can...some breeds of dogs of course...

Answer 10

d**n good question.  I'd like to know the answer too.  Have a star.

Answer 11

Its proably somthing to do with the difference in genetics

Theres alot of things different in that 2% that they differ from us. There hair must grow but at a very slow rate

Thats very interesting have ANOTHER star