Animals That Have Furry Bottoms on Their Feet

Fur on the bottom of an animal's foot isn't uncommon in animals, whether they're wild or domesticated. When found in the wild, it often allows the animal to adapt and survive in harsh environments. For some creatures, this is trait common to an entire class, while for others it is unique to a specific species.

  1. Polar Bears

    • Polar bears reside in arctic regions and frequently walk on ice to catch prey or when traveling. The fur on the bottoms of their feet acts as insulation against the cold. In addition to protection against the cold, their paw fur also helps provide them with the traction needed to maneuver on the snow and ice.

    Foxes

    • Fur serves as a protective measure on the feet of foxes. For the arctic fox, it provides cushion against the snowy terrain, keeping its feet warm and insulated while giving it traction to hunt and move in the snow. Fennec foxes, which live in northern Africa, are also a type of fox with fur at the bottom of its paws. Their coating of fur allows them to walk across the hot sand without burning their feet. It also allows them to walk silently when stalking prey.

    Felines

    • Most cats have some fur that grows between their toes to the bottom of their feet. The length and thickness vary depending on the type of feline. Snow cats have thick fur that grows on the bottoms of their feet, which helps them manage their environment by aiding with traction in the snow and cushioning their steps as they jump and climb. The desert-dwelling sand cat has heavy fur covering its feet for protection when walking on hot sand and also to make them quieter when they walk.

    Rabbits

    • Thick fur covers the bottom of a rabbit's feet, which do not have the protection of fat padding. The fur protects the rabbit from surface friction and the impact of its foot against its environment. If the rabbit has little of this protective fur, its feet may become inflamed or sore from friction, causing a condition called sore hocks. Certain rabbits, such as the snowshoe rabbit, have thicker fur on their large hind feet to protect them from the cold and to help them travel atop deep snow.