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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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[–] Tabula_stercore@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Same reasons monkeys have them; it helps with grabbing on to branches. The stiffness of the nail results in an increased grip strength, because the forces are blocked.

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