• Question: why do we have toe nails?

    Asked by sussim24 to Alexandra, Dean, Jess, Luisa, Sian on 22 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by diack.
    • Photo: Sian Foch-Gatrell

      Sian Foch-Gatrell answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Toenails are remnants of our evolutionary past, where are primate ancestors needed them for gripping onto things

    • Photo: Dean Whittaker

      Dean Whittaker answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      no idea

    • Photo: Alexandra Kamins

      Alexandra Kamins answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      you know, I’ve wondered the same thing myself! I know they are related to claws, and on our fingers they help us be able to do very precise movements (like pick up a grain of rice). But on our toes?! They could be left over from when our ape ancestors used their feet more for grabbing. Or they could be used now to protect the delicate ends of our toes. Those are my educated guesses 😉

    • Photo: Luisa Ostertag

      Luisa Ostertag answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      I don’t know.

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