paw
{{short description|Soft foot-like part of a mammal that has claws}}
{{no footnotes|date=November 2022}}
{{other uses}}
File:Paw and pads.jpg, E) carpal pad.]]A paw is the soft foot-like part of a mammal, generally a quadruped, that has claws.
Common characteristics
The paw is characterised by thin, pigmented, keratinised, hairless epidermis covering subcutaneous collagenous and adipose tissue, which make up the pads. These pads act as a cushion for the load-bearing limbs of the animal. The paw consists of the large, heart-shaped metacarpal or palmar pad (forelimb) or metatarsal or plantar pad (rear limb), and generally four load-bearing digital pads, although there can be five or six toes in the case of domestic cats and bears (including giant panda). A carpal pad is also found on the forelimb which is used for additional traction when stopping or descending a slope in digitigrade species. Additional dewclaws can also be present.
The paw also includes a horn-like, beak shaped claw on each digit. Though usually hairless, certain animals do have fur on the soles of their paws. An example is the red panda, whose furry soles help insulate them in their snowy habitat.
Animals with paws
Gallery
File:Brown Bear Paws.jpg|An American brown bear's paws.
File:Eisbaer hintertatze-3.jpg|A polar bear's paws.
File:DogDewClawTika1 wb.jpg|A dog's paw resting on a hard concrete surface
File:Ellenberger Leisering Dog.jpg|Structures of the leg and paw of a dog.
File:Wolf Paws (6798208076).jpg|alt=|A wolf's paws
File:Panthera tigris11.jpg|A tiger's paw, showing pads
File:Cat foot (10225182346).jpg|A cat's paw, showing pads.
File:Anatomy of the cat (1991) (18195201631).jpg|Structures of the paw of a cat.
File:Rabbitsfoot.jpg|A rabbit's foot.
File:Lepus brachyurus (hind legs).jpg|The hind paws of a Japanese hare.
File:Red Panda (37469241852).jpg|A red panda's paw, showing the absence of paw pads.
File:Martes flavigula paw.png|The paw of a yellow-throated marten.
File:Meles meles-front paw.jpg|The forepaw of a European badger.
File:Cricetus cricetus front foot.jpg|Front paw of European hamster
See also
{{commons category|Animal feet}}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080514180238/http://www.mcpi.org/ Maine Coon Polydactyl International]