When did we grow fingernails and why?

I was just wondering if anyone out there knows why we grew or evolved nails in the past? Because humans are omnivores I was pretty sure they did'nt gow them for picking food, but I was curious what's the point in our faingernails?When did we grow fingernails and why?
Our fingernails are similar to claws or hooves found in other animals. More generally called “digital appendages”, they are enlarged keratinized structures (the same stuff that horns are made out of) that protect the tips of the fingers and toes in most vertebrate species, or animals with backbones. Fingernails are broad, and slightly curved, and mostly cover the top surface of our fingers.





In other species, this structure is slightly different - for example, crocodiles have a thimble-shaped structure that covers the whole tip of their digits, whereas hawks and owls have talons, highly recurved claws specialized for prey capture, and horses and cows have hooves that protect their feet.





So, the reason we have fingernails is simply that everyone in our family tree has some sort of digital appendage that probably served to protect fingertips in our distant ancestors, and each group has evolved modifications that best fit their needs for a particular environment. Fingernails in monkeys, apes and humans always cover only one side of the fingertip and thus they protect but don’t limit the motion or sensitivity of our fingertips.When did we grow fingernails and why?
they are very similar to claws

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first of all i wanna to say that it's a good question.


and now the answer. There were a number of reasons for the this thing.


1. at that time we didn't got any kind of forks and knives to cut the food( obviusly meat).


2. Maybe we could even think of for protection purpose.



Short answer: as tools for food gathering, climbing, and as a defensive measure. The term ';claw your eyes out'; takes on new significance when the person saying it has 2 inch jagged uncut nails.
To scratch and the most obvious, which contradicts what you're saying. We have nails to help break open food - just as monkeys do!
fingernails and hair are dead proteins....


in past ...teeth and nails were the only weapons or best available ...





so they grew them as they need them in fights...





moreover they didn,t had any nail cutters
Fingernails are used primarily for stripping your partners ex's face.
To stop the ends of our fingers from getting frayed!
For picking your nose. Duhh!
i don't no, but dats a good question, tell me when u find out, ok?