What is the evolutionary reason for human fingernails?

These savvy services, though, are not the reason we humans sport the keratin-rich coverings atop our fingertips. "We have fingernails because we're primates," said John Hawks, a biological anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. read more

Whether fingernails are an adaptation that helps to support broad fingertips or a side effect from the loss of claws is unclear, Hawks said. Another reason for fingernails: They serve as a visual advertisement of a person's health, he said. read more

Human fingernails are actually flattened versions of claws. All primates, including ancient ancestors of humans, had claws that supported their broad fingertips. The broad fingertips helped primates maintain a strong grip around objects. read more

When you think of all the things your fingernails help do, it makes sense that evolutionary adaptation didn't eliminate them (unlike the tail). You can peel an orange easily, undo knots, scratch an itch, and pick your nose, all with the help of fingernails. read more