How the horse became the only living animal with a single toe

The ancient ancestors of horses had four toes on their front feet and three on their back – but modern horses have just one. A new study could explain whyThey can reach speeds of more than 40km an hour, clear hurdles more than eight feet high andeven pirouette– and they manage it all with just one toe on each foot. Now researchers say they have unpicked how and why horses ended up with their unusual extremities.The only living animals with a single toe, equines (such as horses and zebras) had ancestors with multiple digits on their feet, with early relatives having four on their front feet and three on their back.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - August 23, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Tags: Evolution Animals Biology Science Source Type: news