Fur

Fur, dense hair covering the skin of many mammals. Fur is an excellent heat insulator and protects against cold. It consists of a soft undercoat, generally interspersed with longer and stiffer guard hairs that form a protective outer coat and prevent matting. Fur clothing has long been valued for its beauty and warmth, and was an aristocratic luxury until the discovery of America, in whose exploration and economic development trapping and fur trading played a major role. Demand is still high, threatening some fur-bearing species with extinction; this has led to fur-farming of suitable animals such as mink and to the development of artificial furs made of synthetic fibers. The anti-fur consumer movement and groups for the humane treatment of animals have led to the banning of certain cruel forms of trapping and seal hunting in some countries.