Paw

A paw is the soft foot-like part of a mammal, generally a quadruped, that has claws.

The paw is characterised by thin, pigmented, keratinised, hairless epidermis covering subcutaneous collagenous and adipose tissue, which make up the pads.

A carpal pad is also found on the forelimb which is used for additional traction when stopping or descending a slope in digitigrade species.

The paw also includes a horn-like, beak shaped claw on each digit.

An example is the red panda, whose furry soles help insulate them in their snowy habitat.

Right front paw of dog showing A) claw, B) digital pads, C) metacarpal pad, D) dewclaw , E) carpal pad.