Claws give you the ability to scratch, climb, and dig holes. But fingernails are critical for fine motor skills. Have you ever wondered about how you can separate book pages or pick up a small item like a needle? It’s because humans have nails.We can grip big things with our hands and pick up small, thin things too. It’s a very nice balance. It may seem like nails don’t have much sensation, but under this hard shell there’s an intricate network of nerves.