Goosebumps are a curious reaction that happens when we’re cold, scared, or even excited. They occur because tiny muscles at the base of each hair contract, making the hairs stand up. This reaction is a leftover from our animal ancestors, who had much more body hair. When the hairs stood up, they helped trap warmth or made animals look bigger to scare off predators.

Today, goosebumps don’t serve much practical purpose for humans, but they still happen when we experience strong emotions like awe or fear. They’re a small, physical reminder of how connected we are to our ancient past and how our bodies react in surprising ways to the world around us. Shutdown123