Definition
digitigrades
noun
- Animals that walk on their toes or digits, with the heel and middle foot raised off the ground.
Usage: plural form; used in zoology and biology
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of animals that walk on their toes or digits.
Usage: technical; used in zoological descriptions
Examples
- Dogs and cats are digitigrades that walk on their toes.
- Most carnivorous mammals are digitigrades, which allows them to move quickly.
- The digitigrade posture gives animals like wolves greater speed and agility.
- Humans are plantigrades, while horses are digitigrades.
- Birds are also considered digitigrades because they walk on their toes.