Retractile Claws Revealing Paws

Glossary

Sphynx Sphinx Cat Paw and Claws

Sphynx Cat Paw and Claws

Claw

The pointed, slender and curved structure on the end of a digit (usually a toe).

Made from a hard protein, keratin.

Claw of Cat

Claw of Cat

Protractile Claw

Claw that can be protracted (extended) from its protective sheath.

Claw of Domestic Cat

Claw of Domestic Cat

Register

To imprint a track on the substrate.

Lion Registers Paw

Lion Registers Paw

Register

To imprint a track on the substrate (ground).

Lion Registering Paw

Lion Registering Paw

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Retractile Claws

Claws that can be retracted (drawn back) into their protective sheaths.

Cats’ claws are protractile, but often (incorrectly) described as retractile. At rest, the claw is retracted; muscular action (contraction) protracts the claw out of, rather than retracts it into, its sheath.

Semi-retractile claws still visible when not protracted. They are not completely enclosed in a sheath, often because the sheath is not large enough or is non-existent. (e.g. cheetahs)

The protective sheath is also known as pocket or socket.

When claws are retracted, they will usually not register.

Cf. protractile claws