Plantigrade

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In mammals, plantigrade locomotion means walking with the podials and metatarsals flat on the ground.

Humans and primates are examples of plantigrade species; in humans, the podials and metatarsals constitute the sole of the foot. Other plantigrade species include raccoons, opossums, bears, rabbits, weasels, mice, pandas, rats, hyraxes, skunks and hedgehogs.

The members of the extinct mammalian order Creodonta displayed plantigrade locomotion. This may have led to their extinction as they were supplanted by the more efficient Carnivora. It seems that at least some pterosaurs were plantigrade as well.

[edit] See also

• Digitigrade
• Unguligrade
• Terrestrial locomotion in animals