encino's blog
New Monkeys Discovered
Brown spider monkey - Colombia
Dog Paws Are Well-Designed
There are five parts that make up a dog's paw: A - the claw, B - the digital pads, C - the metacarpal (front) and metatarsal (back) pads, D - the dew claw and E - the carpal pad. All the pads (except the carpal pad) help with shock absorption and carrying the bulk of the canine's weight when in motion. The carpal pads help when a dog is on a slope or sliding. The claws help dogs get a grip and dig. The purpose of the dew claw is not known exactly.
