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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40360","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]From our 10 fingers to our palms, our two hands are important features of the human body. In fact, our opposable thumbs are what classify us as primates. But we aren’t the only creatures on earth that rely so heavily on these extremities. We find out why the hands of five animals from the Animal Secrets exhibit look different than ours with help from The Natural History Museum, PBS, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Pacific Northwest Laboratory and National Geographic.
Bats
Like humans, bats have four fingers and a thumb on each of their two hands. The difference is their fingers are very long and thin. On many bats, they can be as long as the body. But the thumb is what makes bats’ hands so unique and necessary. While it’s small compared to the other four fingers, it has a claw, which is necessary for grip in caves, on branches, etc., when the bat is in its roost.
Beavers
Because beavers live on land and in water, their hands must not only be suited for both climates, but they must also be useful for building their dams. Their dexterous front feet and toes are similar to human hands in that they are able to pick up small objects and use them for building, while their hind feet are webbed so that they can swim efficiently through water.
Black Bears
Four feet that you don’t want to come into contact with belong to the black bear. All four feet have five toes, each with a large, sharp claw. These claws, along with their sense of smell and powerful forearms, make these animals skilled hunters and gathers. According to the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, black bears can “dig out plant tubers or small rodents, tear apart rotten logs to find grubs, climb trees and break off branches to gather nuts, ‘pick’ raspberries and blueberries, and travel long distances in search of new food resources.”
Porcupines
While you and I have 20 digits on our hands and feet, the porcupine only has 18. Their front feet have just four toes, and the back feet have five. That doesn’t make their hands and feet any less useful than ours, however. Each one of their 18 toes comes equipped with a strong curved claw. These claws allow the porcupine to climb trees or strip away bark for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Racoons
Raccoons’ dexterous front paws and toes are an important feature for the animal’s survival and getting into things they shouldn’t be getting into. Not only can their toes grasp food, but they can also get a hold of door knobs and latches. But what makes a raccoon’s paws even more unique is their sense of touch, which increases underwater.
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