Toes
The Long and the Short of it
So why do we have them and what are they for?
Human toes are unique among the animals...supposedly evolved through time as did fins or wings did. Now both fingers and toes are only found on "Tetrapods" (vertebrates with limbs).
The Mystery Deepens
Our fingers and toes are called Phalanges and are typically divided into three units (Distal, Middle and Proximal), except the thumbs and big toe which only have two. This is for added strength (less muscle and tendon and thicker bone) as well as balance and brace. Structurally the leg is weaker toward the inner side and directional force inward easier to occur. The outer side has stronger musculature and greater stability of the joints, the big toe with it's inherent strength helps prevent the inward collapse of the leg.
Now phalanges are millions of years old, however the Human Toes are much newer and developed over a much shorter span of time.
We are the only species that walk exclusively upright, the other primates typically walk on all fours or climb as a mode of transport. These four limbed walkers and climbers have elongated phalanges, for more gripping type feats (not feets)... and that is where ours also evolved from.
Lost and Gained
We lost our opposable toes, but gained arches in our feet. As our feet evolved to walking and running the foot slowly restructured along with it the toes. These changes were now needed to include higher speeds and jumping, so increased traction, strength and balance became increasingly more important.
Strength, spring and stability not only in forward movement, but laterally as well, was the evolutionary need. And at increased speed and mobility shifts, the longer toes were easily damaged... the shorter toes were more secure in these faster and more dynamic action. Longer toes also drain endurance as the foot needs to work harder in each stepping action.
Even our agility is vastly improved with shorter toes. Have you ever walked in over-sized shoes? Even the slow walking is awkward, but when you run you are just looking to take a header!
And lets face it the shorter toes help us fit in our shoes better.
.
.
.
Image Credit: staticflickr, theluxuryspot