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POLYTRAK STANDARDIZED |
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POLYDACTYL |
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STANDARD
CAT PAWS AND
PADS -Front Paws have 5 digits, meaning 4 ‘standard’ toes and 1 toe which we call a dewclaw. - Each paw contains 7 pads, 5 digital or terminal pads (fingertips) that have claws. -One large pad, called palmer or plantar pad, made-up of three lobes (Note The terms, palmar and plantar are synonymous to many when referring the large pads on any foot. Others refer to large pads in front as palmar, while the large pad on rear paws is designated as the plantar pads.) -And last, one much higher placed small pad, called wrist-pad or 'pisiform'. -The standard rear paws have 4 digits, meaning 4 ‘standard’ toes. -Each rear paw contains 5 pads, meaning 4 digital pads and 1 plantar pad.
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| DEWCLAW -Rudimentary toe or thumb which does not touch the ground. -A dewclaw has no palmar or plantar pad, only the terminal pad (fingertip). -Is very lose and can be wiggled easily. -Is not used like the other toes and thumbs (seems to have no function for the foot and does not carry any body weight when standing) |
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| TOE -A digit on a cats foot. -A toe can be a 'standard' toe like the 4 that touch the ground on a 'non-poly' paw. NOTE: a 'standard' toe can be listed on the submission form as just "toe". -A toe can be an 'extra toe' on a "poly" paw if it is in addition to the 4 standard toes. See note on pads below. -A toe can also be a thumb. If so, it will be named as such. -A toe can also be a dewclaw. If so, it will be named as such. Note: A dewclaw is not a standard toe because it does not touch the ground and does not have a palmar or planter pad. -'Standard' toe like we see in the standard footed cat. -'Standard' toes follow all the same direction in the foot (don't stick out at a different angle). -'Standard' toes touch the ground. -'Standard' toes have a terminal pad ("fingertip") and a palmar or plantar pad. -'Normal' toes have a terminal pad ("fingertip") and a palmar or plantar pad. |
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| THUMB -To be a thumb it needs to have not only a terminal pad (fingertip) but also an additional palmar pad (like the palm of a person's hand or the ball of a person's thumb). Note: When the cat is older, hair can cover the palmar pad, so to see if the cat has it, you probably need to push some hair aside with your finger. -A feline "thumb" sticks out at a different angle to the other toes, like the thumb of a mitten. -It can be wiggled independently of the rest of the foot. -It touches the ground (when standing it supports the cats body weight). |
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| REAR
PAWS -When extra digits occur on the hind paws, these are a dewclaw or extra toe.. (By definition a dewclaw does not touch the ground.) -The toes follow the curve of the foot. -Because the hind paws are constructed differently to the fore paws, there are not true "thumbs" on the back feet. (no palmar pad/ball as in a person's thumb and no different angle) .Only one or two reported cases of opposable hind thumbs, but no photographic evidence. So therefore extra digits in the rear paws shall be dewclaws or extra toes and no thumbs (unless proven differently by provided picture by submitter). |
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| ADDITIONAL -If the toe does not touch the ground, it is a dewclaw. -If the toe touches the ground and is in addition to the standard 4 counted toes, it can be an extra toe or thumb. -Any very undeveloped digit that cannot be identified or classified by the above definitions is defined as a "nub". This can apply to bumps that have not broken the skin (especially if confirmed by X-ray) that would have turned into a regular digit, had the development process not been hindered or stopped. |
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| SUMMARY The following digits are accepted for entry in the database: A. Dewclaw B. Thumb C. Toe D. Extra Toe E. Nub NOTE: All submissions assume preaxial configurations. Please list digits in order from the inside of the foot to the outside of the paw. These may be further described by use of the terms: long, short, no nail, double nail, split nail, missing terminal, palmar or plantar pads and similar descriptions. The above policies are not intended to discourage entries to our database, but are provided as a tool to help you describe your entry. If you feel that your entry does not meet the above definitions, please submit your entry and provide a detailed description in the remarks section as it is our goal to provide accurate, complete and unbiased information on Polydactyl Maine Coons from around the world. |
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1 POLYDACTYL CATS Copyright 2001-2006 Sarah Hartwell |
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Copyright © 2007 PolyTrak |
AUTHOR'S
NOTE: PolyTrak has
adapted standardized definitions for digits especially as it pertains
the Polydactyl Maine Coon cat. Many people, including breeders,
have provided definitions and descriptions of poly digits based on their
experiences and geographical areas over the years. What may
appear as a "thumb to one person may be defined as an extra toe to
another. In order standardize our reporting to research people and
for display publicly, we ask that you read over the following
definitions and apply these definitions to the toe descriptions you
submit to our database. Most of these standards are derived from
articles by Sarah Hartwell1, Manhattan
Cat Specialists2 and from
various veterinary and research
sources. If you feel that these definitions do not
adequately or correctly describe your kitten or cat, please note
the exceptions in the remarks section for each kitten or cat and provide
a full description as you see it. This could include the number of
pads, digit not following the contour of the foot, length of
digit, placement on the paw or other unusual
configurations.
