When we’re cold, watch a scary movie, or listen to our favorite song, we might get little bumps all over our skin.
The bumps are called goosebumps and they come from tiny muscles on our body that tighten our hair and make it stand upright. These bumps are an involuntary response to intense emotions.
Goosebumps have a practical purpose for animals. When an animal’s hair sticks up, it makes the animal look bigger and helps protect it against predators. A raised layer of fur can also help keep an animal warm when cold. According to experts, goosebumps aren’t a survival reaction for humans. They are the result of an adrenaline rush sparked by an extreme emotion.