this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 17 points 10 months ago (7 children)

Humans have multiple toes because our ape ancestors used their toes like fingers. Having multiple, separate toes is probably bad for survival unless you're using toes to manipulate tools.

Animals that have distinct toes include apes, geckos, mice, raccoons and similar animals which need them to grip onto surfaces or to manipulate things. There are predators which have separate toes because they're a place to mount claws: eagles, cats, etc. There are animals that have separate toes with webbing between for swimming. But, for a lot of animals, separate toes aren't really useful, so they've evolved away: elephants, rhinos, giraffes, horses, cows, etc.

[–] Eiri@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Tbh if I could I think I would turn on the gene for prehensile feet.

Just to try. Looks fun.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

you can train your feet to be pretty prehensile, there are people who paint and write with their feet.

[–] Eiri@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago

Oh yeah I pick up stuff with them sometimes but I wanna try the monkey experience lol

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