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Why do humans have finger/toenails? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 months ago by ALostInquirer@lemm.ee to c/nostupidquestions@mander.xyz

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They seem like one more bodily detail to tend to without much benefit, and sometimes more detriment (breaking a nail or scratching oneself up, ouch!).

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[–] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I remember reading of a special treatment that makes them sturdy like claws. I won't mind that. A multitool made out of your fingernails can be pretty handy.

[–] Asetru 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Day 16 with claws. Wrecked the bedsheets again tonight. My nose is constantly bleeding because I keep picking it in moments of relaxed forgetfulness. My butthole burns like I ate chilis because I still haven't figured out how to wipe it - my family has learned to live with the smell while I keep practicing yoga to eventually be able to give it the cat treatment. Gwen still refuses to be touched after the incident last week... But even the desire to be caressed won't convince me otherwise. This is me. I am a weapon to protect what I love. My body, my choice - and threats of divorce won't get between me and my constitutional rights to protect my family.

[–] Grimy@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Waved at a cop and got shot. I was wearing mittens at the time so this is mostly unrelated to the claws.

[–] cactusupyourbutt@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

any source/link on making the nails harder?

[–] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago

I encountered this in some paper encyclopedia as a fun fact and I struggle to google it now, so probably it's BS. I recall people who make world records out of their nail lenght use acryl and oil, but it doesn't seem to help that much. The base of the nail seems to be the weakest part of that scheme, and even a metal claw would probably get torn from the finger under any serious pressure causing more problems that it solves.