• Question: Why do we have nails?

    Asked by anon-324247 on 1 Apr 2022.
    • Photo: Rebecca Locke

      Rebecca Locke answered on 29 Mar 2022:

      They help add strength to protect the tips of our fingers and toes from injuries, prevent viruses and bacteria from entering the body, help us grip things (think peeling a banana or an orange), scratch things or dig through things! Toenails are less handy but protect your toes and are also thought to apply counter pressure on our toes to help with balance while walking.

    • Photo: Elpida Vounzoulaki

      Elpida Vounzoulaki answered on 30 Mar 2022:

      I think it is to help us grip things and protect our limbs from injuries.

    • Photo: Sara Luzzi

      Sara Luzzi answered on 31 Mar 2022:

      Nails evolved from animals’ claws, which were used for defence and to grab things. Now they mostly help protect our finger tips.

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