guard hair
Guard hairs are the outermost layer of an animal's fur, providing protection against environmental factors like dirt and moisture.
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Definition
C1Zoology
(technical)The long, coarse hairs forming the top layer of an animal's fur, shielding the undercoat and skin.
Example
- The guard hairs of a wolf help protect its undercoat from snow and rain.
- In many mammals, guard hairs are crucial for maintaining a clean and dry coat.
C1Zoology
(technical)A single long, coarse hair from the top layer of an animal's fur.
Example
- A guard hair can often be distinguished by its length and stiffness compared to the softer underfur.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "guard hair":
hair grasshair sealbody hairterminal hairbeard hairhair spacebaby hairguard band