Sonic Hedgehog Gene - Why You Have Thumbs Rather Than Fins episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 25, 2026 · 7 MIN

Sonic Hedgehog Gene - Why You Have Thumbs Rather Than Fins

from Be Smart. · host Joe Hanson

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Ever wonder why you have thumbs? Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub The human hand, with its multi-talented thumb, might be man's greatest tool. But did you know we can trace that thumb, and the hand and arm it's connected to, all the way back to a 375 million-year-old fish named Tiktaalik? This week I sit down with paleontologist and geneticist Dr. Neil Shubin to learn what a fish, and a little blue hedgehog, can teach us about the evolution of thumbs. Be sure to watch Neil Shubin's special 3-part series "Your Inner Fish" on your local PBS station, premiering Wednesday, April 9 at 10 PM Eastern! http://www.pbs.org/your-inner-fish/home/ Also check out Neil's book "Your Inner Fish": http://amzn.to/1ssBCFt Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editor and motion graphics John Knudsen - Gaffer Music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Produced for PBS Digital Studios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Ever wonder why you have thumbs? Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub The human hand, with its multi-talented thumb, might be man's greatest tool. But did you know we can trace that thumb, and the hand and arm it's connected to, all the way back to a 375 million-year-old fish named Tiktaalik? This week I sit down with paleontologist and geneticist Dr. Neil Shubin to learn what a fish, and a little blue hedgehog, can teach us about the evolution of thumbs. Be sure to watch Neil Shubin's special 3-part series "Your Inner Fish" on your local PBS station, premiering Wednesday, April 9 at 10 PM Eastern! http://www.pbs.org/your-inner-fish/home/ Also check out Neil's book "Your Inner Fish": http://amzn.to/1ssBCFt Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editor and motion graphics John Knudsen - Gaffer Music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Produced for PBS Digital Studios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Sonic Hedgehog Gene - Why You Have Thumbs Rather Than Fins

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This episode is 7 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 25, 2026.

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PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Ever wonder why you have thumbs? Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ...

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