# Why do humans have fingernails? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 1, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011 "2003-10-01T22:58:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![T.Slothrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@T.Slothrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Slothrop)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/21 "2003-10-02T17:43:18Z")
This one kept me awake last night: It can’t be so you can pick your nose, then you would only need one. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/22 "2003-10-02T18:49:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*Guess what finger I’m typing with! 😃 \*\* I though you typed with your penis. Shows what I know. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/23 "2003-10-02T18:59:55Z")
Nah, when I type with my penis, it tends to look like this: 6tt6ub 66n56hv yyv6g57 ct7586 'cause it’s too big to peck at one key, you see… smaug ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/24 "2003-10-02T19:29:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\ ***Hemlock’s** answer is in line with what I vaugely remember from physical anthropology in undergrad; fingernails evolved to increase tactile sensation and make it easier to digitally manipulate objects by evening out the pressure on the opposite side of the finger pad. I’ll try and dig up a proper cite when I get the chance later in the day. \*\* That’s a little more what I was looking for, although the other answers have certainly been entertaining. A cite would be great if you can find one. (I’m trying to teach my young’uns not to believe _everything_ one reads on the 'Net) ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/25 "2003-10-02T21:49:48Z")
**refusal** - > [@](#): > > I always thought their main purpose was to stop your fingertips flapping about. Which would be gross and not very controllable. This is very close to what the great L.M. Boyd said. “Fingernails keep your fingertips from sliding around on the bone.” Or words to that effect. ---
**Author:** ![Kempis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kempis/32/19248_2.png) [@Kempis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kempis)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/26 "2003-10-03T01:04:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\ ***Hemlock’s** answer is in line with what I vaugely remember from physical anthropology in undergrad; fingernails evolved to increase tactile sensation and make it easier to digitally manipulate objects by evening out the pressure on the opposite side of the finger pad. I’ll try and dig up a proper cite when I get the chance later in the day. \*\* That’s very interesting. The upshot is that fingernails also work as a support for the front of the finger? What exactly happens when it’s missing? Does the skin roll around to the back, or does the tip bend back or what? I always thought fingernails were just for scraping small bugs off the skin when they bite. A support function would give better reason for the toenails to still be here, too. 🙂 -k ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011/27 "2003-10-03T01:28:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phase42 \* > \*\ ***refusal** - > This is very close to what the great L.M. Boyd said. “Fingernails keep your fingertips from sliding around on the bone.” Or words to that effect. \*\* I used to say that humans have lips to keep their mouths from fraying, but now I don’t say much at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-have-fingernails/205011.md?page=1)