DiscoverSpectacular ScienceWhy We Still Have Tailbones
Why We Still Have Tailbones

Why We Still Have Tailbones

Update: 2025-03-26
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Even though we don’t have tails, we still have a tailbone? Does the tailbone even do anything? Why do we still have it even though we have clearly branched away from our ape ancestors? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of vestigial traits, why we have them, and why we still have these features.





Here’s an article! It is called “What Are Vestigial Features?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/01/what-are-vestigial-features/)





Here’s an activity! It is called “Vestigial Souvenir Scavenger Hunt!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/03/vestigial-souvenir-scavenger-hunt/)





Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!





Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

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Why We Still Have Tailbones

Why We Still Have Tailbones

Akshay Jayaraman