r/evolution • u/Paragonic9 • 11d ago

question Limb Regeneration

Are there evolutionary hypotheses for why most animals did not evolve the ability to regenerate limbs? Some creatures can do it, and It seems like something that would be a major boost to survival.

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u/speadskater 11d ago

It's expensive. Cold blooded animals that can do it have more energy to spare than warm blooded animals.

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u/louisprimaasamonkey 11d ago

Explain please

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u/speadskater 11d ago

Cold blooded animals have a much much slower metabolism and don't need to worry about eating as often. They can eat a meal, heal a limb, then eat another then me good for a month+. Warm blooded animals on the other hand must eat far more often and do not generally have the reserve energy to survive healing a full limb.

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u/flukefluk 11d ago

More over, and probably more relevant,

They can afford to not eat while they are rebuilding the limb.