The coyote, Canis latrans, is one of North America’s most adaptable and widespread wild canids, sharing many anatomical features with domestic dog relatives. As this animal expands its range, observers often have questions about its physical characteristics. A common point of inquiry concerns a specific digit known as the dew claw, which this article examines.
What Exactly Is a Dew Claw?
A dew claw is a small, non-weight-bearing digit located on the inner side of a canid’s leg, positioned much higher than the four primary toes that make contact with the ground. It is a vestigial digit in many species, meaning it is a remnant of an earlier evolutionary structure, similar in position to a human thumb. The name supposedly comes from its tendency to brush away dew from the grass, though this is likely a folk explanation.
A significant anatomical distinction exists between dew claws on the front legs and those that may appear on the hind legs. Front dew claws are typically connected to the limb by bone and a complex network of five tendons. Hind dew claws, when present, often lack this skeletal and tendinous connection, sometimes being attached only by skin. This difference strongly influences the digit’s stability and potential function.
Coyote Anatomy: The Presence of Dew Claws
Coyotes consistently possess dew claws on their front legs, a feature common to nearly all wild and domestic canids. This digit is positioned high on the leg in the carpal, or wrist, area, and has a firm tendinous attachment to the limb. Because it sits well above the ground, the front dew claw does not register in the animal’s typical walking or trotting tracks.
The presence of dew claws on the hind legs of a coyote is extremely rare and is not considered a standard feature of the species’ anatomy. The rear paw generally has only the four primary, weight-bearing toes. The consistent, fully attached nature of the front dew claw in wild coyotes contrasts sharply with the variability and often skin-only attachment of hind dew claws seen in some domestic dog breeds.
Functional Significance and Canid Comparisons
While the front dew claw does not contribute to a coyote’s locomotion during a regular walk or trot, it is not entirely functionless. During high-speed movements, such as a full gallop or a sharp turn, the dew claw can make contact with the ground. This contact helps to stabilize the carpal joint, preventing excessive twisting or torque on the lower leg when the coyote is maneuvering or changing direction quickly.
The digit also serves a role when the coyote is using its paws to secure prey or hold objects for chewing. The dew claw acts like a rudimentary thumb, providing extra grip to anchor food against the ground or aid in climbing out of slippery areas. This functional anatomy is shared by its close relative, the gray wolf, which also generally possesses dew claws only on the front limbs. This contrasts with certain domestic dog breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees, which are genetically selected to have double dew claws on the hind legs.