These 5 Simple Traits Humans Once Had — But Lost Over Time

Hello learner,

I bring you yet another thought-provoking topic — traits we lost!

Humans carry a history of millions of years, but not as we are today. Around 2.5 million years ago, the human race evolved in Africa. It took nearly a million more years for us to begin thinking the way we do now!

Imagine how far we've come — even developing AI! Thanks to our ancestors, who passed down an amazing set of genes. But over the course of evolution, many traits that were once crucial became unnecessary and eventually went extinct.

We’re talking about such simple traits:

1. Sharp Canine Teeth:
We once had sharp, long, and very strong canine teeth—just like apes, primitive Homo sapiens, or Neanderthals. They acted as tools—to tear raw meat or fight off threats.
These teeth stayed with us for more than a million years. However, with the discovery of fire and the development of cooking and other advanced skills, our "main weapon" became useless—and disappeared over time.

2. Strong Sense of Smell:
Early humans had a very keen sense of smell. It was the first quality check for anything! Our ancestors could detect scents just like other animals, sometimes even smelling meat from miles away.
Interestingly, body odour also played a key role in mating and social bonds.
But with improved vision and advanced communication, smell became less relevant.
Eventually, humans lost a large number of olfactory receptor genes compared to other mammals.

3. Tail in Humans:
Yes, we once had a tail! It developed from the tailbone (coccyx) and was quite useful.
For our primitive ancestors, trees were the safest shelter, and like monkeys, they relied on a strong tail for balance and movement.
But as we evolved, developed tools, and created safer habitats, the tail became unnecessary. Now, all that remains is a small, vestigial coccyx.

4. Night Vision:
Humans, like nocturnal mammals, once had strong night vision—vital for survival in the dark. But as we developed tools, shelters, and fire, this ability became less critical.
Over time, the gene variants responsible for night vision faded in importance. Although we still retain moderate night vision, it's nothing compared to truly nocturnal animals.

5. Jaw Muscles:
Most mammals have strong jaw muscles. When combined with sharp canines, these muscles helped early humans chew raw meat efficiently.
However, with the advent of cooking, chewing became easier—and jaw muscles weakened.
Interestingly, weaker jaw muscles allowed our skulls to expand, making space for a larger brain.

These are just a few simple, genetically governed traits that went extinct in the course of human evolution. Thousands more were lost—and thousands more evolved.

This is how evolution works—modifying or removing traits that are no longer useful, reducing our genetic load. And it did so through random—but meaningful—mutations over time.

I hope you enjoyed the reading!

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Stay curious,
Dr. Tushar Chauhan
Genetic Education Academy

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