Community identification
Human Hair
Homo sapiens hair
- Order & Family
- Order: Primates; Family: Hominidae (biological origin, not an insect)
- Size
- Typically 17 to 180 micrometers in diameter; length varies from millimeters to meters.
Natural Habitat
Found on the human body, in homes, and in general environments where humans live.
Diet & Feeding
Non-living; does not ingest food. Grows from nutrients supplied by the human follicle.
Behavior Patterns
Passively shed from the human scalp or body; subject to environmental drifting or accumulation in dust.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless, though can cause irritation if in the eye or if consumed (trichophagia). Can be a nuisance in drainage systems or a source of forensic/DNA information.