Re: Couple questions for evolution experts

Phatty Boombatty <phatty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:ptja25lr12ordpn02lt0ba25ieu64ck6fu@xxxxxxx:


Howver, humans have evolved along the lines of being a long distance
runner. Cheetas pop out in less than a minute. In a contest of
duration, very few animals can outlast a human.


This seems to be the popular theory here in this group, but the odd
thing is that if humans are the only mammals who can run long
distances, why did we evolve that way? Apparently, according to most
posters, no other mammals are long-distance runners, so then naturally
if our predators couldn't run long distances, that skill would not be
necessary for human survival.


First of all, I am not a scientist, so take my opinions for what they
are worth. However, it seems to me that our ability to run for long
distances is a side effect of our life style. Most animals are
herbivorous, and that lifestyle means that they have to eat lots of
plants to get energy. Which means that they they have to stop and eat
quite often. Man, on the other hand, can carry food and water with him,
and does not have to eat as often. Thus man can keep moving while the
herivores have to stop and eat. Many of these animals are faster than
man, but cannot go as far. Thus a man can run down and catch a horse,
if he is patient.
As far as other predators, some can run as far, or farther than man.


Hasn't anyone here ever seen nature documentaries where a predator
chases their prey and you're just watching and watching while these
two creatures run for their lives??? I'd LOVE to see humans try to
keep up with this! Horses run great distances, which is why humans
started riding horses. They still have their hair/fur.

What is this fixation on fur? It is one of the things that mark us as
being a separate species from chimps.


The fact is, human beings are the ONLY land mammals on the planet whom
evolution saw fit to "thin out" if not eliminate body hair. You can
use circular logic to come up with some reason which fits what you
want to believe, but ultimately there's no GOOD reason for it, in
evolutionary terms.

Evolution does not need good reasons. Evolution only works with what
is available. And a possible reason is sexual selection. Makes one more
attractive sexually to see the bare skin. than the fur.
And sexual selection is a very good reason.\
And as far as any need to have fur, or your thinking that man is ill
suited to life on earth, consider that one of our main adaptions is our
intelligence. This intelligence allows us to make and wear clothes, build
houses, and figure out ways to generate heat all over the earth.
And that makes us very well suited to life on earth.

--
Dick #1349
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety."
~Benjamin Franklin

Home Page: dickcr.iwarp.com
email: dickcr@xxxxxxxxx

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