Darwin

I've read that toenails grow at about half the rate of fingernails. Now I think that's just fine, as toenails are probably twice as hard to reach as fingernails, but what exactly was the evolutionary advantage that led to the natural selection of this particular feature? Was it that toenail biters died off as they well should have? Did the increased time and concentration needed for toenail maintenance increase the likelihood of being jumped by a sabertooth? Did the metatarpal extensions inhibit the ability to wear shoes and therefore get served in stone age restaurants? Maybe, but my money is on the reduced reproduction probability resulting from the avoidance response of prospective partners to those calf-piercing daggers. Yeah, you know who you are, and if you don't, your scarred-shinned spouse way over on the other side of the bed does.