- Hoof
A hoof is the tip of a
toe of anungulate mammal , strengthened by a thick horny (keratin ) covering. The hoof consists of a hard or rubbery sole, and a hard wall formed by a thick nail rolled around the tip of the toe. The weight of the animal is normally borne by both the sole and the edge of the hoof wall. Hooves grow continuously, and are constantly worn down by use. "Hoof" is PronEng|huːf or IPA|/hʊf/; the plural is either "hooves" (PronEng|huːvz or IPA|/hʊvz/), or "hoofs" (IPA|/hʊfs/).Most
even-toed ungulate s (such assheep ,goat s,deer ,cattle ,bison andpig s) have two main hooves on each foot, together called acloven hoof . Most of these cloven-hoofed animals also have two smaller hoofs called "dew-claw s" a little further up the leg – these are not normally used for walking, but in some species with larger dew-claws (such as deer and pigs) they may touch the ground when running or jumping, or if the ground is soft. Other cloven-hoofed animals (such asgiraffe s andpronghorn s) have no dew claws. In some so-called "cloven-hoofed" animals such ascamel s, there are no hooves proper – the toe is softer, and the hoof itself is reduced to little more than a nail.Some
odd-toed ungulate s (equid s) have one hoof on each foot; others (includingrhinoceros es,tapir s and manyextinct species) have (or had) three hoofed or heavily nailed toes, or one hoof and two dew-claws. The tapir is a special case, with three toes on each hind foot and four toes on each front foot.The number of toes is considered in determining the
kosher status of the animal's flesh.ee also
*
Horse hoof
*Claw
*Nail
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