Evolution is an interesting and enigmatic phenomenon.

The idea that all mammals, including ourselves, are interconnected somehow is fascinating. One that can be difficult to fully grasp – where do we find proof of evolution? Evidence of our ancestral heritage, tracing back from early apes to Neanderthals and ultimately to the modern Homo sapiens we have become, is abundant. Numerous internal and external characteristics we possess are merely remnants passed down from our predecessors. Many of these features no longer serve a practical purpose in our current lives. As many people no longer scavenge for food or wander as nomads, we still retain these almost useless traits. They have been passed down to us from a time when they were crucial for survival. Take, for instance, the strange feeling of getting goosebumps. It is not merely a random occurrence. Our mammalian ancestors, when experiencing cold temperatures, had a familiar way of dealing with the problem. Goosebumps served as a mechanism to increase their surface area and retain heat. A muscle connected to our arm hairs contracts when we are cold—causing the hairs to stand upright and creating bumps on the skin. This physiological response doesn’t serve a significant purpose in our present lives. But apart from reminding us that we should have brought a coat, we can still observe modern mammals taking to this biological instinct. For example, when facing chilly weather. You might have seen a pigeon puff up on a cold winter day, pushing out its feathers to keep warm. If that isn’t proof of evolution, then what is?