Spinning Tales About Claws, Hooves, and Nails

What determined which creatures now display claws, hooves, or nails?  Evolution!  It provided for specific needs.  Originally, some creatures had claws, and their descendants still prevail with claws.  Meanwhile, species desperate to run from predators emerged from claws to hooves.  Primates progressed by developing grasping hands and feet tipped with nails.  These three appendages contain keratin, a key structural protein.

Red-tailed Hawk Talons

Many wild beings are equipped with claws—birds, reptiles, and mammals.  Comparable to nails, claws protect the digits.  Similar to hair, claws grow, cease, and restart.  For birds, claws furnish holdfasts.   Talons (sharp claws) enable raptors—like eagles, hawks, and owls—to prey.  Reptiles, such as alligators, may utilize claws to uproot vegetation.  Though



snakes are clawless, boas and pythons, primitive reptiles, exhibit remnants of hind limbs with spurs (claw-like projections) on the sides of their waste openings.  These spurs are employed for reproduction.  As for mammals, Florida black bears flaunt hefty, curved claws which facilitate climbing while chasing humans up trees, after reportedly sprinting up to 35 miles per hour.  And they are fearless!  A black bear, accustomed to roaming and feeding in Seminole County neighborhoods, was captured and killed in January, 2015.  Its record weight:  740 pounds.  By the way, remember when bear claws were pursued for ornaments?  Nowadays, bear claws are relished as pastries!  Finally, what about lobster or scorpion claws?  They are actually pincers (chelae). 

Mole Claws for Digging

Squirrel Claws for Climbing

Hooves (or hoofs) are enlarged, weight-bearing toenails.  Mammals equipped with hooves are classified as ungulates.  Most even-toed ungulates, such as deer and pigs, have two main hooves on each foot—together identified as a cloven hoof.  Two smaller hooves, dewclaws (false hooves), are situated slightly up the leg of most cloven-hoofed animals.  Larger dewclaws, as in deer, contact the ground for jumping.  Variation occurs in some species—equids, such as horses, have just one hoof on each foot.  Hooves grow continuously.  Wild ungulates trim them by sufficient ground contact.  On the other hand, domesticated horses are not as active and generally require maintenance—akin to human toenails needing a pedicure.  One can imagine soaking those huge hooves prior to trimming!

Regrettably, natural habitats are shrinking.  Animals commonly explore yards for nourishment.  Homeowners may detect hoof prints molded in upturned sod or under stripped hibiscus trees, including a few more tunnels clawed by the armadillos.  Still, these wild ones must survive!

-  photos by Brett Pigon