Why Do Men Have Nipples?

If men can't nurse, then why do they have nipples? The answer has less to do with evolution and more to do with your personal development as a teeny tiny embryo. Short version: We're all girls -- at least at first. Hank explains!

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[WALTERRIFIC]

I know why we have nipples. Because if we didn't, it would look weird; and then we'd question why we don't have nipples.

[MS-nquy]

It's so you know if it's cold enough for a jacket.

[Quixotic]

"It's like a pec cap!" -Hank Green on nipples, 2013

[SCnewbie]

Hank should have done this episode topless.

[PatrickTheWriter]

Very nicely done. It's a difficult thing to keep the audience engaged without the use of visuals, but you pulled it off with light humor and minimal visuals. You're really good at this.

[Lyedel]

You forgot to mention that men can lactate in some cases should the circumstances require it.

[Me-uizy]

Wait those aren't freckles... my whole life has been a lie

[JumpyPlum]

You make fast, to the point videos that tell a lot but in enough time to absorb before moving on to the next fact. And they're made interesting with all the little funny comments you make like your "peck caps." You're one of the few people who I can sit there and listen to talking for 10 minutes and still be entertained.

[katelynfreeman]

This isn't true. Males have nipples so they don't look weird in bathing suits!

[JoeAuerbach]

Worth noting:  men can, in fact, lactate.  Under the right circumstances.  So the male nipple is not *exclusively* decorative. 

[Megajon]

When I was much younger, I used to pretend the tips of my nipples could shoot lasers at people. Lolz. xD

[ratguy]

I could not have been the only one who checked for secondary nipples

[Mistranlation]

Well that was the weirdest SciShow ending I think I've ever seen.

[hjhaddow]

wouldn't it be more correct to say early embryos are without gender

[Fishboxify]

Today I learned that mole under my nipple may actually be another nipple...

[BXMATTER]

Yup. Its that part of the night again.

[Circleofcocytus]

did a nipple related video become home to a theological debate?!

[rdDayfan]

Any other guys out there go check for the supernumerary nipples immediately after he said that? Just me? ok...

[EmeraldElbows]

Oh my goodness I so appreciate that you said most babies are *usually* male or female. Intersex awareness FTW. :)

[HexerPsy]

1:26 im sure im not the only one who had to lift his shirt.... well... that... a surprising start of my saterday o.0