Paw
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2008-07-09T23:47:50Z
Plasticup
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[[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]]
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