Structure & Support: While they appear flat, elephants are actually digitigrade (walk on tiptoe). A large, fibrous, fatty pad under the heel acts as a cushion, which compresses and expands to distribute weight and reduce joint strain.
Sensory Ability: The soles are highly sensitive to vibrations, allowing elephants to detect low-frequency rumbles from other elephants through the ground.
Toes and Nails: African elephants usually have 4–5 nails on the front and 3–4 on the back, while Asian elephants generally have 5 on the front and 4 on the back. The nails are made of tough, keratinized material.
Adaptation: The skin on the soles is rough, similar to sandpaper, and develops unique patterns, which assist with traction.
Maintenance: In the wild, constant walking over diverse terrain naturally wears down the keratin, keeping the feet healthy.