Paw 398501 224688232 2008-07-09T23:47:50Z Plasticup 2666389 clean up using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{otheruses}} [[Image:Paw and pads.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Front paw of dog showing A) Claw, B) Digital Pads, C) Metacarpal Pad, D) Dew Claw, E) Carpal Pad.]]A '''paw''' is the soft [[foot]] of a [[mammal]], generally a [[quadruped]], that has [[claw]]s or nails. A hard [[foot]] is called a [[hoof]]. Paws are used to pad feet for walking and reduce [[friction]]. ==Common characteristics== The paw is characterised by thick, [[pigment]]ed, [[keratin]]ised, hairless [[Epidermis (skin)|epidermis]] covering [[subcutaneous]], [[collagenous]], [[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]] pad (forelimb) or [[metatarsal]] pad (rear limb), and generally four load bearing [[toe|digital]] pads, although there can be five or six toes in the case of [[bear]]s and the [[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 [[dew claw]]s can also be present. The paw also includes a horny, beak shaped [[claw]] on each [[toe|digit]]. Though usually hairless, certain animals do have fur on the soles of their paws. An example being the [[Red Panda]], whose furry soles help insulate them in their snowy habitat. == Animals with paws== * Members of the [[Canidae]] family, such as [[dog]]s and [[fox]]es * [[Felidae|Felines]], such as [[cat]]s and [[tiger]]s, some of these animals may have [[toe tuft]]s * [[Bear]]s and [[Raccoon]]s * [[Weasel]]s and other [[mustelid]]s * [[Rodent]]s <gallery> Image:DogDewClawTika1 wb.jpg|A [[dog]]'s paw resting on a hard concrete surface. Image:Panthera tigris11.jpg|A [[tiger]]'s paw, showing pads. Image:cat_paw_depth_of_field.jpg|A [[cat]]'s paw, showing pads. </gallery> ==See also== {{commonscat|Paws}} *[[Claw]] *[[Digitigrade]] ==References== *[http://137.222.110.150/calnet/Lfoot/Lfoot.htm Anatomy of the dog's foot] *[http://www.mcpi.org Maine Coon Polydactyl International] [[Category:Animal anatomy]] [[de:Pfote]] [[fr:patte]] [[ja:肉球]] [[no:Labb]] [[pt:Pata]] [[zh:肉球]]