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Why do fingers become pruney? - Mark Changizi

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Why do fingers become pruney when they get wet? Likely, for the same reasons that tires have treads. Mark Changizi examines the evolutionary reasons for pruney fingers, while exploring natural and manmade phenomena, like river networks, that operate similarly.

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  • Educator Mark Changizi
  • Narrator Mark Changizi
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Science Friday video on pruney fingers.
Alex Dainis of BiteScized has a great explanation for pruney fingers.
Do you prefer a different language? Watch this video that explains the phenomenon all in French!
Mark Changizi writes about pruney fingers in these Forbes articles. This one is about rain treads. This one is about the science behind pruney fingers.
The journal article on this topic has been given free access by the publisher.
Still want to know more? Check out a list of links compiled by Mark Changizi.
TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
How many other smart mechanisms outside the brain might there be, and that ultimately contribute to our intelligence?
05/21/2013 • 
 1 Response
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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Lippy
  • Educator Mark Changizi
  • Narrator Mark Changizi

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