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Why Do We Get Goosebumps?

Team StoryWeavers|January 18, 2022, 14:53 IST| 24

Hello young learners, it’s me, Kiki! Welcome back to another edition of my Knowledge Corner. I hope you had fun learning about food in our previous episode. 

This time, I have a really interesting lesson for you. It’s winter now and I went outside without my sweater on. I began to feel very cold and also noticed my hair standing on their end. 

This is how I got goosebumps! I put on my sweater and went home to watch a scary movie. I noticed that I got goosebumps again, especially during the really scary parts of the movie. That’s when I thought, let’s talk to my favourite young learners about goosebumps. I am sure you must be wondering: ‘Are goosebumps good or bad?’ or ‘How does our body produce goosebumps?’

This is how goosebumps look

Let’s try and get answers to all of your questions. Are you ready? 

What are goosebumps?

Goosebumps are a perfectly normal reflex reaction that our body produces in response to various external factors. They are tiny bumps of skin that are formed at the base of the hair when the body reacts to factors like cold weather, fright or even a sudden unexpected touch. 

When you feel cold, you get goosebumps

When you look at them, it looks like your hair is standing on their end. Here is a picture of the goosebumps on your hand. You must be wondering, why the name ‘goosebumps. Is there a connection to goose? Yes there is!

Well, if you look at a goose’s body after its feathers have been plucked, you will see many bumps on it. When our bodies react to cold or fright, our skin looks the same way. And that’s why we call it goosebumps. 

How do we get goosebumps?

Like I mentioned earlier, goosebumps happen when your body reacts to conditions like cold or fright. But have you ever wondered how your body actually makes them happen? 

It’s a slightly complex biological process, but I will make it easier for you to understand. Let’s imagine that you are feeling scared. What happens then is that a hormone called adrenaline gets released from the adrenal gland. When adrenaline is released, the brain sends signals to the muscles under the hair of the skin to become tense. These muscles are called arrector pili. (Say: e-reck-tor pai-lai)

When the arrector pili becomes tense, it makes the base hair stand straight. The skin under the hair then forms bumps. Goosebumps are a reflex action, triggered automatically by the body. 

Did you know goosebumps helped our ancestors?

Our early ancestors (I mean the early man) were very hairy. So when they got goosebumps and their hair stood on the end, it helped them when they felt cold or were attacked by wild animals. The long hair acted like a layer of fur or wool to protect them from being cold. 

And when any wild animal approached them, these long hairs on their end made the early man seem bigger, which in turn threatened the wild animals. Although our ancestors were pretty scared of the predators, this helped them escape as well!

Do animals get goosebumps?

Some mammals like cats, other furry animals and even porcupines get goosebumps. But when animals experience goosebumps, they appear significantly bigger. You may have noticed it in some animals around you. 

Animals get goosebumps too

Have you seen cats seem a bit bigger with all its hair standing on the end when you touch them stealthily? That’s them having goosebumps when they are threatened and their body dealing with sudden fear. 

The most obvious and scary reaction, however, would be from the porcupine. Their pointy scales become bigger and scare the opponents away. That’s fascinating, isn’t it? Do you want to try experiencing goosebumps? Try dipping your hands for a very short while in cold water. You will notice them appearing. But remember, it’s very important that you dip your hands only for a few seconds and not any longer. 

Share your experience with us in the comments. 

 

Liked this blog? Also read

Learn with Kiki: Why do we eat food?

Why do we get a fever?

Six surprising facts about sleep

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About the Author


Aparna is a mom, singer and dreamer. At BYJU'S, she writes stories about learning for children. She believes in the power of music, especially ghazal, the magic of the universe and happy learners. When not writing or singing, you will find her intensely engaged in conversations about life and the power of words.

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Comments



Manaswita Mandal

March 19, 2022

I can’t understand what is hormone. I like this blog and l want many blogs


Manaswita Mandal

March 19, 2022

I can’t understand what is hormone


AARUSH

February 5, 2022

Thanks for this


Saakshi Gautam

February 5, 2022

I didn’t know how Gossbumps came but when I read this I only didn’t knew how gussbumps came I also learned what reaction happens etc thank you Kiki


Ammaira patnaik

February 4, 2022

HI KIKI, I love to learn about GOOSEBUMPS. Thank you.


Ansh Sharma

January 26, 2022

I get goosebumps when l study with byjus ???????and when l watch Avengers when Thor in infinity war comes with his stormbreaker ???when l am scared ? and when l did something ? proud or ? bad


Afreen Farooki

January 26, 2022

I am very happy to learn new things and thank you byjus for sharing interesting and new facts everytime… Thank you so much
?


Harshita

January 25, 2022

It is a fact


Vidhirani vijaywar

January 24, 2022

Very nice explaintion about goosebumps


Aryan prihar

January 21, 2022

Class 1


Vaisnavi.V

January 21, 2022

wow when I tried the experiment it was very cool kiki but mostly I get goosbumps when I get scared


Antu Singh

January 21, 2022

My children know new word goosebumps


Dipranshu Rout

January 20, 2022

?thank you for sharing this valuable information


Anusuya P

January 19, 2022

This is informative and fun


Sanjay

January 19, 2022

Online padhaai


Lakshmi

January 19, 2022

Very nice explanation. I love learning


Vivek Anand

January 19, 2022

Knowing how does appear the goosebumps wonderful.
Thank you so much.


U.V.SAIBALAJI

January 19, 2022

YES I NO


Tanmaie V

January 19, 2022

Nice initiative and way of explanation….


Sabiha Khatoon

January 19, 2022

Excellent ?


Shubhangi

January 18, 2022

I love to learn


Sumati jain

January 18, 2022

Excellent stories for kids


Kushan Nandi

January 18, 2022

This is wonderful Kiki I like this fact


Divya thakur

January 18, 2022

Please take me online classes


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