käpad

Käpad is a term primarily used in Finnish to refer to the paws of animals. It encompasses the soft, padded structures at the end of an animal's limb, typically found in mammals like dogs, cats, bears, and wolves. These paws are crucial for locomotion, providing grip and cushioning for movement across various terrains. The structure of a käpp generally includes toes, claws, and a fleshy pad or pads. The size, shape, and number of toes can vary significantly depending on the species and its evolutionary adaptations. For example, aquatic animals might have webbed käpad, while those that climb trees may have sharper claws for gripping. In a more figurative sense, "käpad" can sometimes be used colloquially in Finnish to refer to hands, often in a playful or slightly dismissive manner, implying clumsy or large hands. However, its primary and most common meaning remains connected to animal paws.