An ungulate is a large hoofed mammal. Terrestrial (land) ungulates include the horse, donkey, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, cow, pig, giraffe, llama, alpaca, tapir, camel, goat, deer, yak, etc.

Ungulate means ‘being hoofed.’ The foot of an ungulate has a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard nail, which contains keratin.

Hooves grow continuously even when broken or damaged – the same as human toe nails, finger nails and hair, which are also made of keratin.

Hooves can be odd-toed or even-toed – i.e. one, two, three, or four toes.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Alpaca hoof

Horse hoof