why do only human females have breasts that show when not feeding?

Answer 1

cvy2000 is the only person here who gave an answer that makes sense. I don't know if he actually thought about it, or if he was just joking around. The question maybe wasn't clear, but ruthyk is asking why human females are the only mammals that have enlarged breasts regardless of whether they are lactating.

All of those people who claim that cows, goats, and dogs fit this description are WRONG. Domesticated cows and goats typically have enlarged breasts all year round because they are LACTATING--do you think the farmers are keeping them because they make great pets??!! They're keeping them for their milk. Dogs have enlarged NIPPLES after breastfeeding a litter, but the breast tissue itself shrinks down almost completely after they stop lactating. There may often be some residual bulk left afterwards (this is true for other mammals as well), but a female dog that has never been pregnant has a flat chest.

To the primate guy, that was a good idea, but it still doesn't fly. The mammary glands themselves are relatively tiny and enlarge with the monthly reproductive cycle, the same way any other mammal's do (different reproductive chronicity, of course). The difference between a woman's anatomical breasts and those of other mammals is that the vast majority of a woman's breasts is composed of fat and fibrous connective tissue. In other words, from a physiological point of view, except for the mammary glands themselves, a woman's breasts are largely USELESS. ruthyk's question can be re-phrased as: what is the purpose of having large mounds of fat on your chest?

Anyway, as I said cvy2000's answer is the only one that makes sense. Evolution selected for women with enlarged breasts because it improves the likelihood of reproduction in some way. It certainly doesn't improve survivability (imagine woman with DD's trying to run away from saber-toothed tiger). Since the size of the breast does not actually have any impact on the amount or quality of milk that is produced, it doesn't make a difference on survival of the babies either. The only explanation is that enlarged breasts make women more attractive to men--hence improving the likelihood of reproducing.

To ruthyk: your question is a good one. I'm sorry so many people ridiculed you for it.

Answer 2

When you next go to the zoo, check out the apes; I think you'll notice female breasts. Also certain monkey species have special coloring in various parts of their bodies that have reproductive implications. It is probably true however that only humans of all the animals on earth can adorn their bodies to consciously draw attention to themselves.

Answer 3

As has been said ,cows goats etc have visible breasts, so do apes and other primates ,dogs cats , and just about every other mammal. This really is a non-question, and should be filed under bollocks.

I give everybody who talks sense a thumbs up !

Answer 4

Because human females are fertile all year round. Other primate species are not.

Answer 5

becasue men like them - and the attract us to the female species. be proud of your breasts - without them you might be singl and lonely with nobody to talk to.

Answer 6

Voted Most Ridiculous Question of the Day

Answer 7

because humans are a different species than all other mammals so naturally they are going to have some different characteristics.

Answer 8

Never seen a cow, have you:
http://research.umbc.edu/~dschmi1/images/cows/cow4.jpg

Answer 9

what kind of brainless twit are you that you would even begin to think this might be a question that should be asked???!!!

Have you never see a cow or a goat or female dog??

What a moron!!!

Answer 10

Dont moan about them,there ace.