No, having 11 toes is not exceptionally rare. Polydactyly, the condition of having extra fingers or toes, is surprisingly common.
Prevalence of Polydactyly
Multiple sources estimate that polydactyly affects 1 in every 500 to 1,000 babies. This means that having an extra toe, leading to a total of six toes on one foot (and thus potentially 11 toes overall), is a relatively frequent birth anomaly. [This is supported by information from multiple sources including Boston Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and FeetByPody](https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/polydactyly, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24302-polydactyly-extra-digits, https://www.feetbypody.com/blog/being-born-with-extra-toes/).
Understanding Polydactyly
Polydactyly is a congenital abnormality, meaning it's present at birth. It's the most common congenital abnormality affecting the forefoot. While having more than one extra digit is less common than having just one extra digit, the overall prevalence of polydactyly makes having 11 toes less rare than many people might assume.
- Frequency: The occurrence rate of 1 in 500 to 1,000 babies highlights that it's not an extremely unusual condition.
- Variations: Polydactyly can manifest differently; some individuals have a fully formed extra toe, while others may have a smaller, less developed digit.
