A fur is a soft, thick growth of hair that covers the skin of almost all mammals. It consists of a combination of oily guard hair on top and thick underfur beneath. The guard hair keeps moisture from reaching the skin; the underfur acts as an insulating blanket that keeps the animal warm.
The fur of mammals has many purposes: protection, sensory, waterproofing, and camouflaging, with the primary purpose being thermoregulation. The types of hair include
