Why do our fingers get wrinkly in water, but the rest of our skin doesn’t?
In: Biology
Wrinkly or Pruney fingers is actually a nervous system reaction to being in water, not our skin “absorbing” water. Which is why other parts of the body don’t also “absorb” water and get wrinkly/pruney.
Now we don’t know 100% for sure why our bodies decide to do this, but the theory (that I personally believe is true and will get proved if there’s more studies) is that the wrinkly skin gives it more surface area and grip, like treads on a tire, meaning if you’re walking around or climbing across a creek or river or slippery rocks in water, you’ll be able to get a better grip and be less likely to slip
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