Digitigrade
Digitigrade locomotion is a way of walking in which an animal bears weight on its toes or digits while keeping its heel raised off the ground.
Plantigrade: A mode of locomotion in which the sole and heel rest on the ground during walking. Its ground-contact pattern contrasts directly with digitigrade walking.
Cursoriality: A set of anatomical and behavioral adaptations for sustained running. Digitigrade posture can lengthen the effective limb and contribute to running adaptations.
Canidae: A family of carnivorous mammals that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and jackals. Canids are prominent digitigrade mammals, with feet adapted for terrestrial travel.
Limb lengthening: An increase in the length of limb segments that can enlarge stride length. Elevated heels and elongated distal limbs can increase effective leg length in some digitigrade animals.
Unguligrade: A mode of locomotion in which an animal bears weight on the tips of its toes, usually enclosed in hooves. It carries toe-supported walking farther toward the tips than digitigrade locomotion.
Achilles tendon: The tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone in humans and many other mammals. In many digitigrade mammals, powerful ankle-extensor tendons help propel the raised heel and foot.
Felidae: A family of carnivorous mammals that includes cats, lions, tigers, and leopards. Cats walk digitigrade, using raised heels and toe-supported feet in quiet movement.
Stride: A complete cycle of limb movements during locomotion, often measured by distance traveled. Foot posture affects how the limb extends and pushes off across a stride.
Tarsus (skeleton): The group of bones forming the ankle and proximal part of the foot in tetrapods. Its position helps distinguish the elevated heel from the ground-contacting digits.
Lever: A rigid bar that rotates around a fulcrum to transmit force or movement. The foot acts as a lever during push-off, with its geometry shaped by toe-supported stance.