British scientists are trying to get to the bottom of one of life's great mysteries — why your fingers and toes get wrinkly when you sit in a hot bath for a long time.

Researchers at Newcastle University found wet objects are easier to handle with wrinkled fingers than with dry, smooth ones.

That's led them to suspect that the answer is evolutionary.

They think it was probably advantageous for a primate ancestor not to slip when moving through wet trees or over wet surfaces.

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Photo: Brendorous (Flickr)