An animal that walks on its toes or digits, keeping the heel and midfoot raised off the ground; characteristic of many mammals like cats, dogs, and bears.
From Latin 'digitus' (digit/toe) plus 'gradus' (step/grade/gait). Literally means 'walking on toes.' Distinguished from plantigrade (walking on full foot) and unguligrade (walking on hooves).
Next time you see a cat walk silently or a dog run at full speed, you're watching digitigrade locomotion—they're literally running on their fingertips and toes, which is why they move so gracefully compared to flat-footed humans.
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