What is a paw?

A paw is the bottom of a mammal’s foot. It is the soft hairless part of the foot. 

There are five parts of the paw: (1) claws, (2) front pads (usually 4), (3) metacarpal pad (the large pad behind the front pads), (4) the dew claw, and (5) the carpal pad (like a heel). The dark-colooured pads act like cushions. 

Animals with paws include: felids (such as cats, lions and tigers); canids (such as dogs and foxes); rabbits, bears, raccoons, weasels, and rodents (such as mice and rats).

Although most mammals have hairless paws, the Red Panda has furry paws.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM