The history of humans is nail biting

[watchingfromafar]

Why do we have nails?

Humans have fingernails because we are primates, evolved from forest-dwelling species.

It’s thought that fingernails are an evolutionary variation on claws. Our mammalian ancestors evolved away from claws and towards the broad-tipped fingers we have today.
What Are Nails Made Of and Why Do We Have Them? | Holland & Barrett

Monkeys and apes are primates, an order of mammals that have forward-facing eyes, large brains compared with their body weight, and—where other mammals have claws or hooves—flat nails on their fingers and toes. (Some primates do have claws, but that’s in addition to a flat nail on the big toe.)
How Do Monkeys and Apes Trim Their Fingernails?

To understand humans, we need to claw our way back into the past.

Have you ever wondered why we have fingernails?
After all, they are not just for picking our nose.

Note: the problem with this forum is that it leaves little for discussion or debate. For this reason, you are free to depart from the OP

 

[occupied]

They reinforce the ends of your fingers. I've lost a nail here and there during my life and it soon becomes obvious that life would be terribly painful without this built-in armor.

 

[whitehall]

There is nothing sinister about human fingernails. We have fingernails to protect the tips of our fingers and scratch mosquito bites.