Goats have cloven hooves.
A split hull is a hull divided into two distinct segments. Deer, cattle, and goats are cloven-hoofed, among other mammals, and cloven-hoofed animals are generally found in the order Artiodactyla. In biology, cloven hooves can help distinguish an animal and are also considered important for religious reasons because some religions include cloven hooves in their dietary restrictions.
Pigs have cloven hooves.
The shape of a cloven hoof involves two toes that are clearly separated and surrounded by a hard hoof. The toes may also be capable of limited independent movement and are subject to the same hoof diseases that single-hoofed animals have. Additionally, a cloven-hoofed animal may also have horns; the only true horned animals also have cloven hooves. Many animals in this order are also ruminants, meaning they have specially adapted digestive systems to facilitate the extraction of nutrients from plants.
A giraffe’s cloven hooves support its unique skeletal structure.
In some religions, people can only eat meat from cloven-hoofed animals; some religious may also specify that these animals must also be ruminants. This is why observants of the Jewish faith eat beef but not pork, because although both animals have cloven hooves, pigs do not chew the cud. Many Christians are familiar with the section of the Bible dealing with clean and unclean animals, in which the split hoof is an important distinguishing feature. The split hoof has also been associated in some cultures with the devil; Satan is often depicted with cloven hooves in Christian religious art and writing, for example.
Deer have cloven hooves.
The tracks left by a cloven hoof are quite distinctive. In regions with wild populations of ungulates such as deer, small double hoof marks on the ground are quite common and are used to track these animals in their natural environment. The tallest member of Artiodactyla is the giraffe, which sports a special set of cloven hooves designed to support the giraffe’s unique skeletal structure.
Cattle have cloven hooves.
It is important to care for livestock and cloven-hoofed animals. Hooves should be trimmed regularly to prevent excessive growth and should ideally be cleaned, especially in the crack, to ensure the hoof remains healthy and dry. Hoofed animals generally also need to be in clean, dry bedding, as their hooves can become seriously infected if exposed to moisture, mold, and bacteria. Many of these animals are trained to lift their legs for examination and handling so their owners can be sure they are in good health.