An Exploratory Study of the Relationship between Second Toe Length and Androgen- Linked Behaviors

Ontogenetic evidence suggests a possible link between second toe length and prenatal androgenization, and therefore it is possible that a longer second toe is related to behaviors and traits previously shown to be associated with testosterone. In an exploratory analysis of this phenomenon, respondents provided self-reports of various behaviors and traits previously shown to be related to testosterone and finger-length ratios and also indicated whether or not their second toe was the longest of their toes (i.e., extended beyond their other toes). Results yielded a significant association between longer second-toe length and left-handedness for both men and women. For women only, relationships between a longer second toe and a competitiveness orientation, a winning orientation, and physical aggression were found. For men only, a relationship between a longer second toe and exercise frequency was found. There was no association between second toe length and sociosexual orientation or sexual orientation for either sex. The implications and limitations of these findings and the potential for future research are discussed.