The Hands of Great Apes Tell a Story About Our Own Evolution

Millions of years ago, our primate ancestors began their arboreal adventure. To navigate the treetops, they developed grasping hands with opposable thumbs. This evolutionary leap allowed them to securely grip branches and manipulate objects.

Over time, claws were replaced by flat nails and sensitive fingertips, which increased dexterity and precision. Humans evolved to become even more specialised, developing longer thumbs relative to our fingers, which gives us an advantage in terms of grip strength and precision.

What makes our hands different to other primates? One key difference is the length of our thumbs. Our longer thumbs, relative to our fingers, give us a significant advantage in terms of grip strength and precision

All primate hands reflect their evolutionary paths. Spider monkeys are nimble climbers. Their hands are hook-like, with small thumbs that don’t get in the way. They use their prehensile tails like a fifth limb. Their tail is capable of supporting their entire body weight.

So, the next time you look at your hands, remember that they are a product of millions of years of evolution. They are a testament to our shared ancestry with other primates, and a reminder of the incredible journey that has led us to where we are today!

References: The hands of great apes tell a story about our own evolution