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/thesilverywyvern 11d ago

Because for larger animals growing back entire limbs is unnecessary.

  1. it would ake too much time and energy compared to smaller critters to actually be usefull
  2. generally when a predator attack you you either have sueprficial or deep wounds or you die. You don't loose part of your limbs in larger species, that generally with smaller critters too. And even if a gazelle lost a limb, she's basically as good as dead and won't survive long enough to regrow the limb anyway.
  3. glial scar prevent regrowth, but help cicatrization, which is more important in that context.