Most people agree that humans have evolved from apes. There are many differences though between apes and humans. Many of these differences is quite subtle and not everyone is aware of them and some are quite striking. At first glance we notice the nose is different. We have bigger lips and fattier tongues, which allows us to speak with extra help from the larynx, among other things. We are not as hairy and our hair is aligned nicely and it's not furry. We walk on two legs and we have subcutaneous fat just like the whales.
Have you heard about the aquatic ape hypothesis? It states that man during his evolution at some time spent a great deal of time close to, and partly in water. This hypothesis explain all the differences above and many others very nicely. Our nose is turned downward because this prevents water from entering the nose while wading and swimming. Big lips and fat tongue help while eating sea creatures such as mussels and oysters. We lost hair and developed body fat just like the whales. We have a quite strong diving response which can even rival sea creatures like sea lions. We have grown used to water cooling and therefore sweat when warm, our cousin apes don't sweat. Our bipedalism can be a consequence of initially being 'waders'.
I don't claim here that this theory must be correct, just that it's gives quite good answers. Which other theories give plausible answers to these traits?
Some evidence even suggests that humans gave birth in water during this period. Human newborns are coated with vernix, an oily substance produced by the skin. No other land mammal, including the apes, produces vernix-coated neonates, some sea mammals do. Also a baby which is born under water will swim to the surface on its own.
For me diving and free diving in particular gives a great sensation of being calm and free. Is this the aquatic ape inside me giving me the thumbs up?
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